An Irishman will always soften bad news, so that a major coronary is no more than 'a bad turn' and a near hurricane that leaves thousands homeless is 'good drying weather'.

My mother was passionate. She was stubborn, the dominant one in the family. She dominated my father.

Gossip is more popular than literature.

I'm a much nicer person since my wife died. I found out what pain is, so on that level I'm much nicer.

Sometimes silence resolves a conversation confused by Mad Misconstruction.

Arnold Bennett was a writer I admired. He was actually taking notes at his father's deathbed.

I've always enjoyed a woman's company more than men's. They're usually better looking.