History, having destroyed the religion as the opium of the people, now requires that they be given a taste of the real stuff.

Politicians can forgive almost anything in the way of abuse; they can forgive subversion, revolution, being contradicted, exposed as liars, even ridiculed, but they can never forgive being ignored.

It is my settled opinion, after some years as a political correspondent, that no one is attracted to a political career in the first place unless he is socially or emotionally crippled.

Anyone wishing to communicate with Americans should do so by e-mail, which has been specially invented for the purpose, involving neither physical proximity nor speech.

You should tell the truth as often as you can, but in such a way as people don't believe you or think that you're being funny.

Unless people are prepared to declare themselves your enemies you have to hunt around for them.

There are many Welsh who are taciturn, truthful, well formed, open minded, handsome and peaceful, even if no particular individual immediately springs to mind.

Strange how much simple wisdom there is to be found in the deformed head and unprepossessing carcase of your typical London cabbie.

The two sides of industry have traditionally always regarded each other in Britain with the greatest possible loathing, mistrust and contempt. They are both absolutely right.

The main objection to killing people as a punishment...is that killing people is wrong

Looking back at all the people I have insulted, I am mildly surprised that I am still allowed to exist.

Bravery comes when you commit to doing the work.

Most of America don't even listen to music probably. They just go raccoon hunting or something.

Suffering is the ancient law of love; there is no quest without pain; there is no lover who is not also a martyr.

All my lovers have been geniuses; it's the one thing that I insist.

Oh, a friend! How true is that old saying, that the enjoyment of one is sweeter and more necessary than that of the elements of water and fire!

My father was always talking about God, and I idolized my father, so I'd spend hours trying to have mental telepathy with God.

Nor is there any law more just, than that he who has plotted death shall perish by his own plot.

Ah, gentle dames! it gars me greet To think how monie counsels sweet, How monie lengthened sage advices, The husband frae the wife despises.

Nothing is more useful than the useless.

I think I have a very strange, hybrid accent, and I've worked very hard to get a solid American accent, which is what I use most of the time.