I think I write in a fairly self-confident manner.

When you consider how many millions of workdays begin with hangovers great and small, it is mildly ­surprising to find how few real descriptions of the experience our literature can boast.

Take the risk of thinking for yourself. Much more happiness, truth, beauty and wisdom will come to you that way.

I burned the candle at both ends and it often gave a lovely light.

The secular argument, or the liberal argument, is to as much as possible remove taboos so things do not become unmentionable; to let some air into the discussion.

Ruthless and arrogant though power can appear, it is only ever held by mere mammals who excrete and yearn, and who suffer from insomnia and insecurity. These mammals are also necessarily vain in the ­extreme, and often wish to be liked almost as much as they desire to be feared.

It's called faith because it's not knowledge.