Arbitrary power has seldom... been introduced in any country at once. It must be introduced by slow degrees, and as it were step by step.

As fathers commonly go, it is seldom a misfortune to be fatherless; and considering the general run of sons, as seldom a misfortune to be childless.

The mere brute pleasure of reading - the sort of pleasure a cow must have in grazing.

If we do not plant knowledge when young, it will give us no shade when we are old.

Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

Being pretty on the inside means you don't hit your brother and you eat all your peas - that's what my grandma taught me.

Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise.

Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.

You must look into people, as well as at them.

A man's own good breeding is the best security against other people's ill manners.

Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

Maybe we can eventually make language a complete impediment to understanding.

Never bet against the man in the mirror.

I'm just not sure that I'm good enough for her. She's a top shelf drink, I'm a house poured shot.

Writing is an incredibly creatively empowering experience for me. It is the place where nobody tries to control what I'm doing.

There is no joy so great as that of reporting that a good play has come to town.

There has never been nationhood without falsehood.

I come from a middle class background. I have travelled a lot by trains and have lived in the world. It is a world I cannot get away from; I would not even want to.

I like surprises. I like mystery. I’m not the kind of person who goes to the writer’s room and goes, I need to know the whole story so I can prepare. No, don’t tell me anything!

Laughter is a release of tension. When influencing, make the other person laugh; you'll gain rapport instantly.

The werewolf film is a strange thing.