The true use of history, whether civil or military, is not to make man clever for the next time, it is to make him wise forever.

The important thing when you are going to do something brave is to have someone on hand to witness it.

A common language is the most obvious binding element in any society.

What is Parliament for if it is not to be a means to make ministers accountable for the services for which they are responsible.

So long as the international community consists of sovereign states, war between them remains a possibility, of which all governments have to take reasonable account.

History is what we read, write and think about the past.

Let us be clear. Prison works. It ensures that we are protected from murderers, muggers and rapists, and it makes many who are tempted to commit crime think twice.

I believe abortion should be available to everyone, but the law should be changed. In the past I voted for a restriction to 22 weeks, and I would be prepared to go down to 20.

We're not saying, 'We're politicians, trust us.' We know you don't trust us.

We must rediscover the habit of thinking the best of each other

There is only one opinion poll that I am interested in and that is the one that will take place on election day.

We fear men so much, because we fear God so little. One fear cures another. When man's terror scares you, turn your thoughts to the wrath of God.

In order to find the edge you must risk going over the edge.

Life is a learning experience. All you can do is learn from your mistakes, but you can't go back in time.

It is not that things happen to each of us according to his fate, but that he interprets what has happened, if he has power to do so, according to his sense of his own destiny .

Judges are required by our democratic system not to overstep their positions to become policy makers or super-legislators.

If I raised my hand to wipe the hair out of my children's eyes, they'd flinch and call their attorney.

That's what unions do. They can get money, they can get support, they can get manpower.

Happy will be those who give ear to the words of the dead: - The reading of good works and the observing of their precepts.

What is the highest secret to victory and peace? To will what God wills, and strike a league with destiny.

My tears cure cancer too, it's just that I laugh at cancer patients.