Americans did not acquire their fear neurosis as the result of a traumatic experience - war devasting their country, pestilence sweeping the land, famine wiping out helpless millions. Americans had to be taught to hate and fear an unseen enemy. The teachers were men in official positions, in government, men whom Americans normally trust without question.

Nothing is better for self-esteem than survival.

All politicians are bores and liars and fakes. I talk to people.

What the trees can do handsomely-greening and flowering, fading and then the falling of leaves-human beings cannot do with dignity, let alone without pain.

After a lifetime of war-watching, I see war as an endemic human disease, and governments are the carriers.

In the end, in England, when you want to find out how people are feeling, you always go to the pubs.

Public opinion, though slow as lava, in the end forces governments towards more sanity, more justice. My heroes and heroines are all private citizens.