in a village you can't sack or fight with someone, as you'll find yourself stuck beside them in the hairdresser's next morning.

Bachelors begin at thirty-six. Up till this age they are regarded as single men.

The letter of application ... should be a masterpiece of fiction, papering over all the cracks. Get it properly typed on decent writing paper. Never let it run over the page, people get bored with reading.

I think we ought to have a kindness year, or a kindness century.

The aristocrat, when he wants to, has very good manners. The Scottish upper classes, in particular, have that shell-shocked look that probably comes from banging their heads on low beams leaping to their feet whenever a woman comes into the room. Aristocrats are also deeply male chauvinist, and ... on the whole they tend to be reactionary.

hurting other people is not excusable because you've been hurt yourself.

Go to lots of interviews, at least one a month even when you don't need a job, to keep in training for when you do.