She liked people. Me, I can take them or leave them, but mostly leave them.

Will you lie to me and promise to read them? Books need to be read. The pages need to be turned.

Yes, I hate it when people call me a 'national treasure'. It takes away your bite and makes you feel like a harmless old golden Labrador.

Love is the only thing that keeps me sane.

I married two weeks after my 18th birthday, far too young, and by the time I was 23 I was a single mother of three small children, Sean, Daniel and Victoria, living in a prefab house.

Most social problems could be helped or prevented if people had more money and practical advice.

I don't know why women are so mad about flowers. Personally, they leave me cold. I prefer trees.

Every time I start a new piece of work, I spend a long while under the duvet thinking I can't do it.

There's only one thing more boring than listening to other people's dreams, and that's listening to their problems.

I think we take it for granted that if you are with your husband after 30 years, then he is the love of your life.

I am from the working class. I am now what I was then. No amount of balsamic vinegar and Prada handbags could make me forget what it was like to be poor.

Creativity is a clashing of opposites.

This is an unbearable kiss, unbearable, unreal, unimaginable.” - Esme from Sister Mischief

And, above all things, never think that you're not good enough yourself. A man should never think that. My belief is that in life people will take you very much at your own reckoning.

A man must be willing to die for justice. Death is an inescapable reality and men die daily, but good deeds live forever.

The world is a beautiful book, but of little use to him who cannot read it.

Is there anything more tedious than the often repeated tales of the old and forgetful?

You go through life experiences. Each record captures a different turning point in my life.

I knew I could never match my father as a violinist, and there were already four generations of outstanding cellists in the family.

I got some very good advice once. That was: You're not talking to a reporter, you're talking to the public. We didn't hide things. They are a little more guarded now.

The Olympics is not a race I want to watch on television and think 'I wonder what I could have done if I was there?