“The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.”

Source: Out of Africa

1840s, Essays: First Series (1841), Friendship

A Hero of Our Time (1840; rev. 1841)

Source: Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), P. 270.

Source: The Red Queen (1993), Ch. 5

House of Commons.
Table Talk (1689)

Source: The Odyssey

The United States (1971)
Context: The Senate has unlimited debate; in the House, debate is ruthlessly circumscribed. There is frequent discussion as to which technique most effectively frustrates democratic process. However, a more important antidote to American democracy is American gerontocracy. The positions of eminence and authority in Congress are allotted in accordance with length of service, regardless of quality. Superficial observers have long criticized the United States for making a fetish of youth. This is unfair. Uniquely among modern organs of public and private administration, its national legislature rewards senility.

Source: Aeneid (29–19 BC), Book V, Line 262; inscription on some British one-pound coins up until 2015. The line was suggested by John Evelyn for the edge legend on the new milled coinage of Charles II of England from 1662 on to discourage clipping. He had seen it on the edge of a mirror belonging to Cardinal Richelieu (recorded in his book Numismata in 1697). The suggestion was adopted.