All these problems [deciding cases] are easier for people who believe in God. Those of us who don't or can't have to do the best we can. That's what the law is, the best we can do. Human justice is imperfect, but it's the only justice we have.

Daniel supposed he had a secret life. Most people did; it was hardly possible to live without one.

Youth goes caparisoned in immortality.

Murder is the unique crime, the only one for which we can never make reparation to the victim.

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.

It is always easy to question the judgement of others in matters of which we may be imperfectly informed.

Every island to a child is a treasure island.