Words themselves - the very material of our discourse increasingly take on masks or disguises

Children are very cruel, yes. Of course. Children are extraordinarily cruel little creatures.

I believe everybody is responsible for what they do themselves.

Metaphor is embodied in language.

I was given talent, and if you are given it, it is your obligation to use it.

That vision of a common culture is now simply a remote wistfulness.

I did not fully understand the dread term 'terminal illness' until I saw Heathrow for myself.