Half the fun of writing a novel is finding out from other people later on what you actually meant.

In theory, I work an eight-hour day and a five-day week which means I can socialise with my pals who mostly have normal jobs like teaching and computer programming.

I'm not a great believer in awards-of course the fact that I've never won one has nothing to do with it at all!

I just think people overvalue argument because they like to hear themselves talk.

I'm saying with very few exceptions nothing lasts forever, and among those exceptions, no work or thought of man is numbered.

People can be teachers and idiots; they can be philosophers and idiots; they can be politicians and idiots... in fact I think they have to be... a genius can be an idiot. The world is largely run for and by idiots; it is no great handicap in life and in certain areas is actually a distinct advantage and even a prerequisite for advancement.

I think we need politicians; we need people who want to serve.