In the world of the Middle East at the moment, the debates are shrill. But ... the wisest voice of all of them may well be the voice of this mute thing, the Cyrus cylinder.

From the point where our ancestors started making tools, people have been unable to survive without the things they make; in this sense, it is making things that makes us human.

For many, the icon of the British Museum is the Rosetta Stone, that administrative by-product of the Greek imperial adventure in Africa.

Objects let you tell a narrative that encompasses everybody. Texts don't.

For a million years the sound of making handaxes provided the percussion of everyday life. Anyone choosing a hundred objects to tell a history of the world would have to include a handaxe.

[The Persian Empire] left a dream of the Middle East as a unit, and a unit where people of different faiths could live together.

Objects are better than text at conveying narrative

In 1600, when Shakespeares audience at the Globe heard Hamlet for the first time, every one of them knew very well what it meant to be handed a cup of wine by a figure of authority and told to drink.

It wasn’t a normal joy, it was a bitter joy, but somehow the bitterness made the joy even more wonderful.

As an athlete, you only have so much time. The window only has so much time and then it closes. You have to take care of yourself the best you can.

I like sporks. They're like spoons, but you can poke people with them.

Television is fun, but it's hard, and if it gets too crazy I may just do it as a part-time thing.

For victory is victory, however small, nor is its worth only from what follows from it.

In countries where innocent people are dying, the leaders are following their blood rather than their brains.

Truly to sing, that is a different breath.

I don't want every fan; I'm interested in fans interested in quality work, authentic archetype depictions.

If you fight with all your might, there is a chance of life; where as death is certain if you cling to your corner

I've opened my mouth on a lot of subjects. And I thought the more prestige you get, I'd have the power to do what I like. It's not true.