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

Metaphysical speculation is about as pointless as a discussion on the meaning of one's lungs. They're for breathing.

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

There are two options for any society: total prohibition as in a totalitarian state, or total license. Both avoid the ardours of decision. Both have the attraction of certainty. The difficult option is to decide where the line should be drawn and this, surely, is the responsiblity of any civilized and democratic country.

If all power corrupts, then a doctor, who literally holds life and death in his hands, must be at particular risk.

Generosity is a virtue for individuals, not governments. When governments are generous it is with other people’s money, other people’s safety, other people’s future.

Old age makes caricatures of us all.