Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial.

I tend to foster drama via bleakness. If I want the reader to feel sympathy for a character, I cleave the character in half, on his birthday. And then it starts raining. And he's made of sugar.

What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness.

What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded . . . sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly.

Developing our sympathetic compassion is not only possible but the only reason for us to be here on earth.

According to me, your life is going to be a gradual process of becoming kinder and more loving. Hurry up. Speed it along. Start right now.

It's a big world, and I really like it.

Character is that sum total of moments we can't explain.

The generalizing writer is like the passionate drunk, stumbling into your house mumbling: I know I'm not being clear, exactly, but don't you kind of feel what I'm feeling?

Kindness, it turns out, is hard - it starts out all rainbows and puppy dogs, and expands to include . . . well, EVERYTHING.

I'm always aware of writing around things I can't do, and I've come to think that that's actually what 'style' is - an avoidance of your deficiencies.

I wish you a joyful Christmas and a miraculous New Year.

Equity is that idea of justice which contravenes the written law.

Invoked or not invoked, the god is present.

It's definitely an honour to represent my home country once again in the Commonwealth Games. It is going to be a magical experience and to be considered as a role model is a reward in itself.

The Russians and rogue actors, including ISIS - this is a serious part of the 21st century security challenge that we face.

By afflictions God is spoiling us of what otherwise might have spoiled us. When he makes the world too hot for us to hold, we let it go.

I don't want to spend a fortune on my cremation urn, but I really do want to look nice at my memorial service.

The jealous keys of truth's eternal doors.

I always loved working in comedy.

And it [acting] was exciting to me. And scary.