He had a better mind and a more rigorous temperament than me; he thought logically, and then acted on the conclusion of logical thought. Whereas most of us, I suspect, do the opposite: we make an instinctive decision, then build up an infrastructure of reasoning to justify it. And call the result common sense.
Julian BarnesWhat is the easiest, the most comfortable thing for a writer to do? To congratulate the society in which he lives: to admire its biceps, applaud its progress, tease it endearingly about its follies.
Julian BarnesTo be stupid, and selfish, and to have good health are the three requirements for happiness.
Julian BarnesAs I've explained to my wife many times, you have to kill your wife or mistress to get on the front page of the papers.
Julian Barnes