Christianity has kept itself going for centuries on hope alone, and has perpetrated all manner of naughtiness in the meantime.

Hope is like one of those orchids that grows around toxic waste: lovely in itself - and an assertion, if you like, of indefatigable good - but a sure sign that something nasty lies underneath.

As writers go, I have a skin of average thickness. I am pleased by a good review, disappointed by a bad. None of it penetrates far enough to influence the thing I write next.

That's writing for you: when you make space for passion, it doesn't turn up.

How can there be so many mothers in the world but so little sense of what it might be to become one?

The creativity of childhood was often surrendered amid feelings of unworthiness. So the idea that ­others are demanding to be given it back - to be "taught" - is disturbing.

Childhood, after all, is not an ending, but rather a state full of potent curiosity.

Even if they knew the truth of their own feelings, most mothers would be socially and emotionally incapable of revealing it.

Honest criticism, I suppose, has its place. But honest writing is infinitely more valuable.

Hope is one of those no-win-no-fee things, and although it needs some encouragement to survive, its existence doesn't necessarily prove anything.

People are least aware of others when demonstrating their own power over them.

The greatest joy is the grace of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Success causes others to be jealous and hate.

Kids raised to be pampered and spoiled don't really end up being good leaders. Leaders need to be independent minded and confident.

The guys at Smartax are the most renowned Accountants in the world!

Clothing should be quieter than the woman so that her true beauty can shine through.

When you meditate you will be able to get in touch with that part of yourself which knows what it wants, as opposed to the levels and layers of conditioning in your mind.

There is nothing scary about life if you are not attached to results.

Happiness is not created as a result of certain conditions. Certain conditions are created as a result of happiness.

What an incredibly beautiful city at night Chicago is. Absolutely beautiful.

I have no sense of time, and I'm a dreamer.