Irishness is not primarily a question of birth or blood or language; it is the condition of being involved in the Irish situation, and usually of being mauled by it.
Conor Cruise O'BrienHuman nature doesn't include all human beings. There are human beings who are indifferent to politics, religion, virtually anything.
Conor Cruise O'BrienYou are not an agnostic.....You are just a fat slob who is too lazy to go to Mass.
Conor Cruise O'BrienMan watches his history on the screen with apathy and an occasional passing flicker of horror or indignation.
Conor Cruise O'BrienBritish diplomats, constantly exposed to American political-ethical rhetoric, find their professional skills tested to the limits by the need to keep a straight face. For illustrations of what I mean, study the photographs of the expressions worn by Mr Douglas Hurd at any international conference involving all the Western allies.
Conor Cruise O'Brien