To thoughtful natures, events are like depth charges: the surface is calm, but the shock spreads further.

Not every child takes instantly to books like a duck to water, but I don’t believe there are children who hate books. There are just children who haven’t yet found the right books for them.

As ever, Morpurgo's warmth and humanity suffuse a story of courage, love and hope.

Familiarity breeds sentiment before contempt.

Every profession is an island whose inhabitants earn a precarious living by taking in each other’s washing.

Mostly, what people mean by love is laziness.

There was a certain usefulness in having a husband whom most people could barely tolerate: it deflected envy, for one thing.

It’s all biology. If it weren’t for two thousand years of the Christian tradition we wouldn’t think of pretending otherwise…Romance is the true opiate of the masses.

Some people, perhaps those with more dignity and less rage gnawing at the roots of their being, are nicer as failures, For me, it was like descending a deep pit that had no bottom

That is the worst thing about despair: it is not constant, any more than love is.

Very happy or unhappy, people disappear.

When the rare chance comes, seize itTo do the rare deed.

When you love someone, really love them, you don't put chains on them. You want them to be free.

Patriotism is merely deeply-rooted government brand loyalty.

Be Happy and Positive all will come Good in Time.

It's much easier to have one swing thought than many.

Every decision you've made will impact how things go. The player's also the architect of what happens.

The greatest communication skill is paying value to others.

I'm still old-fashioned. I love dusty old books and libraries.

In prayer we call ourselves 'worms of the dust', but it is only on a sort of tacit understanding that the remark shall not be taken at par.

Creative art is the power to be for a moment a flash of communication between God and man.