The formal Washington dinner party has all the spontaneity of a Japanese imperial funeral.

I know of no wars started by anyone to impose lack of religion on someone else.

Fish have water, the bushmen of the Kalahari have sand, and Houstonians have interior décor.

I know of no wars started by anyone to impose lack of religion on someone else. We have lethal Sunni v Shia, Catholic against Protestant, but no agnostic suicide bombers attack crowded atheist pubs.

A British lawyer would like to think of himself as part of that mysterious entity called The Law; an American lawyer would like a swimming pool and two houses.

While it is entirely untrue that Canadians lack a sense of humour, the funniest ones tend to head south: Dan Aykroyd, Jim Carrey, Michael J. Fox.

Living in New York is like being at some terrible late-night party. You're tired, you've had a headache since you arrived, but you can't leave because then you'd miss the party.

I've served on five different juries, and many of them were bonkers in their own way.

Most successful American politicians look well-fed on endorsements, campaign contributions and chicken dinners.

Canada is not so much a country as a clothesline nearly 4,000 miles long. St John's in Newfoundland is closer to Milan, Italy than to Vancouver.

The nanny seemed to be extinct until 1975, when, like the coelacanth, she suddenly and unexpectedly reappeared in the shape of Margaret Thatcher.

The momentum of the mind can be vexingly, involuntarily capricious.

Bridges are perhaps the most invisible form of public architecture.

I do love being in my studio. Especially at night.

Do I wish I could retire? Sure, but that's not life.

I'm weird. Everyone says so.

People don't buy with their head but with their heart. The heart is closer to the wallet than the head.

Autumn is full of leave-taking.

To change the world is not your mission. To change yourself is not your duty. To awaken to your true nature is your opportunity.

As long as the house of The Holy Spirit remains a haven for criminals the reputation of the church will remain in ruins.

Never even attempt to disturb anyone's tendencies.