Indeed — why should I not admit it? — in that moment, my heart was breaking.

One is not struck by the truth until prompted quite accidentally by some external event.

There is certainly a satisfaction and dignity to be gained in coming to terms with the mistakes one has made in the course of one’s life

Its was one of those events which at a crucial stage in one's development arrive to challenge and stretch one to the limit of one's ability and beyond, so that thereafter one has a new standard by which to judge oneself.

What interests me is the surprising enormous extent to which most people accept the fate that's been given to them, and find some dignity.

I realised, of course, that other people used these roads; but that night, it seemed to me these dark byways of the country existed just for the likes of us, while the big glittering motorways with their huge signs and super cafes were for everyone else.

I think it's quite difficult to understand what kind of life a writer leads. They might be millionaires, or they might be starving people.