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

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.

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

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

When you live in darkness, you live under the rulership of the devil.

Money. The ultimate motivation. The ultimate way of keeping score.

I told myself that I was going to live the rest of my life as if it were Saturday.

The stars are pears that no one can reach, even for a wedding. Perhaps for a death.

But honestly, if you do a rigorous survey of my work, I'll bet you'll find that biology is a theme far more often than physical science.

Children are more influenced by sermons you act than by sermons you preach.

The principle was right there - you couldn't miss it. The more we did for our customers, the more they did for us.

When we vest our personal opinions with the trappings of religion, we make religion the servant of our politics.

Choose your friends carefully, for you will tend to be like them and be found where they choose to go.