You cannot write down how people are good; you just know it, and cannot get away from it.

As George Orwell wisely observed a generation later, the only way swiftly to end a war is to lose it.

We're taking part in a divine comedy and we should realise that the play is always a comedy, in that we're all ultimately ridiculous.

If you can't get a job as a pianist in a brothel, you become a royal reporter.

People who get on at school are the ones who play by the rules, and no one's going to get far in later life playing by the system.

The only redemptive feature of war is the brotherhood which it forges.

A Tory government with a decent mandate seems the only hope of tackling the fiscal catastrophe responsibly.

Lots of us when we're children believe 'oh well, if the world knew us as we really are, they'd know what wonderful, clever, brilliant, charming people we really are.'

It's miraculous how much easier the computer has made my sort of work.

I would have been a disastrous soldier.

When I am fishing, I think quite a lot about the fish, but I also think about the book I'm writing.

Be yourself, DO NOT ACT.

Those who assume a character which does not belong to them, only make themselves ridiculous.

I've said this before, that, when you're in school and you're the class clown, men are really good at making fun at other people and women are really good at making fun of themselves.

Champions are propelled by desire, not compelled by fear

Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory. If a soldier is imprisoned by the enemy, don't we consider it his duty to escape?

Bad decisions made with good intentions, are still bad decisions.

Let me know myself; let others guess at me.

I claim to represent all the cultures, for my religion, whatever it may be called, demands the fulfillment of all the cultures.

Don't let anyone rob you of hope.

No government may remain strong by ignoring the commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai.