Is it possible that my people live in such awful conditions? I tell you, Mr Wheatley, that if I had to live in conditions like that I would be a revolutionary myself.

Today 23 years ago dear Grandmama died. I wonder what she would have thought of a Labour Government.

I thought men like that shot themselves.

If you do not seek to publish what you have written, then you are not a writer and you never will be.

I have many times asked myself whether there can be more potent advocates of peace upon earth through the years to come than this massed multitude of silent witnesses to the desolation of war.

Always go to the bathroom when you have a chance.

My father was frightened of his mother. I was frightened of my father and I am damned well going to see to it that my children are frightened of me.

I may be uninspiring, but I'll be damned if I'm alien.

Golf always makes me so damned angry.

No more coals to Newcastle, no more Hoares to Paris.

Data is what distinguishes the dilettante from the artist

Conformity to the present is invisibility to the future.

I need a favour.’I raise my eyebrows at him in disbelief. What makes him think I’m about to do him a favour? He’s a stranger. And he’s wearing handcuffs.

If you sound like a contestant from The Apprentice or if the customer believes that they are being sold AT, you have already failed.

Many times I sit back and say, 'I can't believe that this is my life!' Other times, I feel self-satisfied. I mean, there's a lot to be proud and thankful for but, nonetheless, it's just a life!

It was something I really wanted to do. I can't imagine what it will be like to carry the flag and walk through the doors of the stadium. I'm thrilled to lead the team.

I've never liked songs that are about writing, or struggling to write. Maybe it's because it's too relatable to me.

The institution of marriage is just formalizing an emotion, an attempt to make it seem permanent. The emotion will last or it won't last; nothing can guarantee it.

Musicians are at the bottom of the creative pyramid and authors are at the top, and many people think it's unacceptable for someone to attempt to jump from the bottom to the top of the pyramid.

There is a difference between being a timekeeper and keeping the pulse or being in step with the pulse in the band.

When we pray and meditate sincerely and soulfully, we receive an open-hearted invitation from heaven.