In an individual, selfishness uglifies the soul; for the human species, selfishness is extinction.

Mother used to say escape is never further than the nearest book. Well, Mumsy, no, not really. Your beloved large-print sagas of rags, riches, and heartbreak were no camouflage against the miseries trained on you by the tennis ball launcher of life, were they? But, yes, Mum, there again, you have a point. Books don’t offer real escape, but they can stop a mind scratching itself raw.

I love HBO productions, actually, like 'The Wire.'

...now I'm a spent firework; but at least I've been a firework.

But you have read Madame Bovary?' (I'd never heard of her books.) 'No.

Wars are never cured, they just go into remission for a few years.

I am going to tell you a secret. Everything is about wanting. Everything. Things happen because of people wanting. Watch closely, and you’ll see what I mean.