A living dog is better than a dead lion, say I with the Preacher.

My only doctrine is the doctrine of expediency, and it makes for surviving.

This bit of the ferment we call 'Johnson,' when he is no longer a bit of the ferment, only dust and ashes, will have no more nobility than any dust and ashes, while I shall still be alive and roaring." "Do you know what I am going to do ?" he questioned.
I shook my head.
"Well, I am going to exercise my prerogative of roaring and show you how fares nobility.

Watch me." Three yards away from Johnson he was, and sitting down.

Nine feet! And yet he left the chair in full leap, without first gaining a standing position.