Sometimes, in the trenches, you get the sense of something, ancient. One trench we held, it had skulls in the side, embedded, like mushrooms. It was actually easier to believe they were men from Marlborough's army, than to think they'd been alive a year ago. It was as if all the other wars had distilled themselves into this war, and that made it something you almost can't challenge. It's like a very deep voice, saying; 'Run along, little man, be glad you've survived

I don't think it's possible to c-call yourself a C-Christian and... and j-just leave out the awkward bits.' -Wilfred Owen

Another person's life, observed from the outside, always has a shape and definition that one's own life lacks.

A society that devours its own young deserves no automatic or unquestioning allegiance.

Murder is only killing in the wrong place.

Looking straight at the world is part of your duty as a writer.

The result was I went nowhere.