I have always been a writer of letters, and of long ones; so, when I first thought of writing a book in the form of letters, I knew that I could do it quickly and easily.

If nature had arranged that husbands and wives should have children alternatively, there would never be more than three in a family.

The modern form of things had begun to appeal to me, also (as material for satire) politics, and the lives of the great and little, high up in the social scale.

A saint is one who makes goodness attractive. Surely, a great teacher does the same thing for education.

For the last half of my life I have had the doubtful benefit of a brother whose literary reputation is much greater than my own.

I believe absolutely in love being the central motive force of the universe.

I still think that if the human race, or even one nation, could only get right about its God the rest would follow.

It is right and natural that generous minds while in the twenties should think the books which try to reform the world's wrong the greatest of all.

I shall not die young, for I am already near seventy: I may die old.

If fathers were to be mothers, then there will never have a family of more than three.

I had never thought of myself as a dramatist, and, for really good technical results, the thought came too late: a man of letters has become too wordy to write economically for the stage.

He discards a quilt for fear of bugs.

Anthropology is the science which tells us that people are the same the whole world over - except when they are different.

What was that?" Jace said. "Sorry, I think I fell asleep for a moment. Do, continue with whatever mesmerizing thing you were saying.

I was always taught my do's and don'ts: For do's I did, and for don'ts, I said I won't.

You don't have to be someone special to achieve something amazing. You've just got to have a dream, believe in it and work hard.

My favourite road sign is 'Falling Rocks'. What exactly am I supposed to do with that information? They may as well have a sign saying "Random accidents ahead", "Life's a lottery, Be lucky."

Telling the truth is absolutely important.

Think of something finite molded into the infinite, and you think of man.

We did a good job and I'm just glad I have it for a second time.

The confessions don't speak with one voice. They are more like a cluster of closely-related but distinct voices - a kind of choir, if you like.