The greatest problem about old age is the fear that it may go on too long.

The Foreign Office knows no secrets.

Psychoanalysts believe that the only "normal" people are those who cause not trouble to either themselves or anyone else.

There is nothing nicer than nodding off while reading. Going fast asleep and then being woken by the crash of the book on the floor, then saying to yourself, well it doesn't matter much. An admirable feeling.

We learn nothing from history except the infinite variety of men's behaviour.

The male clerk with his quill pen and copper-plate handwriting had gone for good. The female short-hand typist took his place. It was a decisive moment in women's emancipation.

History is not a catalogue but...a convincing version of events.