We measure the value of a civilized society by the number of #‎ libraries it opens, not the number it closes down.

I've been surprised by how little criticism I've got. Harry Potter's been taking all the flak. I'm a great fan of J.K. Rowling, but the people - mainly from America's Bible Belt - who complain that Harry Potter promotes Satanism or witchcraft obviously haven't got enough in their lives. Meanwhile, I've been flying under the radar, saying things that are far more subversive than anything poor old Harry has said. My books are about killing God.

Tell them stories. They need the truth you must tell them true stories, and everything will be well, just tell them stories.

You don't win races by wishing, you win them by running faster than everyone else does.

All the history of human life has been a struggle between wisdom and stupidity.

I got a book token for Christmas and exchanged it for a book called A History of Art, and that book (which I still have-battered and falling to pieces) became more precious to me than any Bible.

Being a practiced liar doesn't mean you have a powerful imagination. Many good liars have no imagination at all; it's that which gives their lies such wide-eyed conviction.