Of the four billion life forms which have existed on this planet, three billion, nine hundred and sixty million are now extinct. We don't know why. Some by wanton extinction, some through natural catastrophe, some destroyed by meteorites and asteroids. In the light of these mass extinctions it really does seem unreasonable to suppose that Homo sapiens should be exempt. Our species will have been one of the shortest-lived of all, a mere blink, you may say, in the eye of time.

We English are good at forgiving our enemies; it releases us from the obligation of liking our friends.

A regime which combines perpetual surveillance with total indulgence is hardly conducive to healthy development.

If this were fiction, could even the most brilliant novelist contrive to make credible so short a period in which pride had been subdued and prejudice overcome?

Increase your word power. Words are the raw material of our craft. The greater your vocabulary the more ­effective your writing. We who write in English are fortunate to have the richest and most versatile language in the world. Respect it.

I don't want anyone to look to me, not for protection, not for happiness, not for love, not for anything.

The secret of contentment is never to allow yourself to want anything which reason tells you you haven't a chance of getting.