An Irishman will always soften bad news, so that a major coronary is no more than 'a bad turn' and a near hurricane that leaves thousands homeless is 'good drying weather'.

My life is every moment of my life. It is not a culmination of the past.

A thing well done is worth doing.

There is only one immutable law in life - in a gentleman's toilet, incoming traffic has the right of way.

Sometimes silence resolves a conversation confused by Mad Misconstruction.

Gossip is more popular than literature.

The problem with Ireland is that it's a country full of genius, but with absolutely no talent.

I feel like the writer observing the grief, but it is difficult to be detached from it.

Arnold Bennett was a writer I admired. He was actually taking notes at his father's deathbed.

In life there exist two classes: first class and no class.

My father I liked, but it was only after his death that I got to know him by writing the play.

I find her anecdotes more efficacious than sheep-counting, rain on a tin roof, or alanol tablets.... you will find me and Morpheus, off in a corner, necking.

It’s strange how necessary it is to have problems to be able to prepare for avoiding future disasters.

It is regrettable that, among the Rights of Man, the right of contradicting oneself has been forgotten.

I'm delighted to make as many people feel ashamed as possible. There's probably a site like that for everybody. I've heard Newt Gingrich has his own as well.

Pride never sleeps. The principle at least is always awake. An intemperate man is sometimes sober, but a proud man is never humble.

I think for one, we have to really accept that anger is a normal human emotion that can be a positive force for change.

You can't think for other people. Nor can you feel for them or be them. They have to do that for themselves.

If we can teach a teacher we can reach more people.

I was young - I was 20 years old. Now I have the gift of perspective and I feel pretty good about it.

Inspiration is a sustainable internal glow which pulls you forward.