My parents were secular. I am an atheist.

I think it is very difficult to legislate for morality.

The worst thing about being a great power is when you're not one any more. It takes centuries to get over it.

Yes, OK, farty is a silly word. I wish I'd never used it. I'm 34. Perhaps it was a word for my 20s.

This calls for a very special blend of psychology and extreme violence.

The earth only has so much bounty to offer and inventing ever larger and more notional prices for that bounty does not change its real value.

I'm easy to work with, not a pushover, but I respond to criticism and find it inspiring.