Sometimes I rant, in a comical way, about how the gods give with one hand and take with the other.

Will you lie to me and promise to read them? Books need to be read. The pages need to be turned.

Yes, I hate it when people call me a 'national treasure'. It takes away your bite and makes you feel like a harmless old golden Labrador.

Love is the only thing that keeps me sane.

I married two weeks after my 18th birthday, far too young, and by the time I was 23 I was a single mother of three small children, Sean, Daniel and Victoria, living in a prefab house.

Most social problems could be helped or prevented if people had more money and practical advice.

I don't know why women are so mad about flowers. Personally, they leave me cold. I prefer trees.

Every time I start a new piece of work, I spend a long while under the duvet thinking I can't do it.

There's only one thing more boring than listening to other people's dreams, and that's listening to their problems.

I think we take it for granted that if you are with your husband after 30 years, then he is the love of your life.

I am from the working class. I am now what I was then. No amount of balsamic vinegar and Prada handbags could make me forget what it was like to be poor.

You can make your dreams come true only when you work hard and be willing to put your effort behind your dreams.

One did not win by throwing temper tantrums.

I've led a very eclectic life.

But listen to me first and swear an oath to use all your eloquence and strength to look after me and protect me.

I don't think I've made a mistake. I think I have behaved in ways that I am proud of; I think I've behaved in ways I'm not.

Contentment is accepting God's sovereign control over all of life's circumstances.

My mother used to sit at the foot of my bed and she would share her dreams with me.

You've seen my descent, now watch my rising.

I apologize for lying to you. I promise I won't deceive you except in matters of this sort.