I love the idea of bringing order out of disorder which is what the mystery is about. I like the way in which it affirms the sanity of human life and exorcises irrational guilts.

I still occasionally need to struggle but I now fear it less. The weapons I fight it with are also my consolations: books, music, food, wine, nature.

When I heard, Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, I thought, Did he fall or was he pushed?

Death ... obliterates family resemblance as it does personality: there is no affinity between the living and the dead.

I thought of inviting you to my other club but you know how it is. Lunching there is a useful way of reminding people that you're still alive, but the members will come up and congratulate you on the fact.

Perfect love may cast our fear, but fear is remarkably potent in casting out love.

You never forget the people who were kind to you in childhood, do you, sir?