Whenever my patient begins to count the carriages in her funeral…

Quote byO. Henry · 1862–1910

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Trimmed Lamp (1907), "The Last Leaf".

English (original)

Whenever my patient begins to count the carriages in her funeral procession I subtract 50 per cent from the curative power of medicines.

— O. Henry

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A straw vote only shows which way the hot air blows.

A burglar who respects his art always takes his time before taking anything else.

Perhaps there is no happiness in life so perfect as the martyr's.

Take it from me — he's got the goods.