A story with a moral appended is like the bill of a mosquito. It…

Quote byO. Henry · 1862–1910

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Strictly Business (1910), "The Gold that Glittered".

English (original)

A story with a moral appended is like the bill of a mosquito. It bores you, and then injects a stinging drop to irritate your conscience.

— O. Henry

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

Turn up the lights — I don't want to go home in the dark.

What is the world at its best but a little round field of the moving pictures with two walking together in it?

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.

Take it from me — he's got the goods.