We cannot possibly take them all into this country [asylum seekers] - it is a completely unrealistic expectation.

The true use of history, whether civil or military, is not to make man clever for the next time, it is to make him wise forever.

The important thing when you are going to do something brave is to have someone on hand to witness it.

A common language is the most obvious binding element in any society.

What is Parliament for if it is not to be a means to make ministers accountable for the services for which they are responsible.

So long as the international community consists of sovereign states, war between them remains a possibility, of which all governments have to take reasonable account.

History is what we read, write and think about the past.

Let us be clear. Prison works. It ensures that we are protected from murderers, muggers and rapists, and it makes many who are tempted to commit crime think twice.

I believe abortion should be available to everyone, but the law should be changed. In the past I voted for a restriction to 22 weeks, and I would be prepared to go down to 20.

We're not saying, 'We're politicians, trust us.' We know you don't trust us.

We must rediscover the habit of thinking the best of each other

Words have to die if humans are to live.

The day time will stop moving, had I known and fulfillment will be the clock hands that will show many people the hour that passed and moment in which they are.

Indian paper is famous, Egyptian papyrus, Chinese paper... every country has used this natural material. But the problem is it's going to run out because it's very difficult work.

The gratitude that we encounter helps us believe in the goodness of the world, and strengthens us thereby to do what's good.

People in my industry [PR] would like people to believe we have ways to control social media. But that's one of the great swindles.

If the Devil's in yer pants make cheese with him.

I don’t want to make the same mistakes I’ve made before. I want to be free. I want to be with you. We will be together. I believe I will have less to live for, if I am not with you.

If gold must be gold, it must pass through the furnace.

Naturalism is a methodological rather than a metaphysical view. It's because I am a naturalist, actually, that I am sceptical about physicalism.

After-school tutoring programs, care for the elderly, shelters for the homeless, disaster relief work, and a variety of other services would all benefit from government funding.