When I was a little kid I thought like a little kid, but now I'm five I know everything

The great thing about a short story is that it doesn't have to trawl through someone's whole life; it can come in glancingly from the side.

The world is always changing brightness and hotness and soundness, I never know how it's going to be the next minute.

Scared is what you're feeling. Brave is what you're doing.

I look back one more time. It's like a crater, a hole where something happened.

Ma's still nodding. "You're the one who matters, though. Just you." I shake my head till it's wobbling because there's no just me.

It’s called mind over matter. If we don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” When a bit of me hurts, I always mind.

Books are the air I breathe, so I don't notice the seasons.

If I was made of cake I'd eat myself before somebody else could.

I remember manners, that's when people are scared to make other persons mad.

When I tell her what I’m thinking and she tells me what she’s thinking, our each ideas jumping into the other’s head, like coulouring blue crayon on top of yellow that makes green.

Never give up without being greatly rewarded for all your struggles. Have faith in your future. Persist and persevere for however long it would take for your problem to become a history in your life.

Ask yourself before making a decision

My guiding principles in life are to be honest, genuine, thoughtful and caring.

But the weakness comes from these Westernised co-opted Muslim leaders who just want to look good in the eyes of the West and Western media.

If you're sitting around worrying about bills all day, it's hard to hear the guidance that's coming from the inside.

If there is a God, his plan is very similar to someone not having a plan.

Beerbohm was a genius of the purest kind. He stands at the summit of his art.

I understood that if I wanted to work, the saxophone was the main instrument. The clarinet was what we call a double.

You are the person who determines what you do. That's a big responsibility. Make the most of it.