The stupidity of a stupid man is exercised in a restricted field; the stupidity of an intelligent man has a much wider diffusion, and a far greater effect, aided as it is by the element of surprise.

The great thing about history is that it is adaptable.

I had started by imitating a parrot, which is unusual, in that a parrot is supposed to imitate you. By taking the initiative you allow the parrot no alternative but to be itself, which proves again that attack is often the best defence.

It's wrong to flog a man. It's against his being a man.

I'm convinced there's a small room in the attic of the Foreign Office where future diplomats are taught to stammer.

I am an optimist, unrepentant and militant. After all, in order not to be a fool an optimist must know how sad a place the world can be. It is only the pessimist who finds this out anew every day.

In America, through pressure of conformity, there is freedom of choice, but nothing to choose from.