I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. He taught me that if you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be

But it is impossible to replace a person one has loved to distraction.

Give us strength, oh Lord, to let our children starve.

When I first thought about writing the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I never originally meant to have children in it at all!

If I were a headmaster, I would get rid of the history teacher and get a chocolate teacher instead and my pupils would study a subject that affected all of them.

You should never, never doubt something that no one is sure of.

What a fortunate fellow I am, I kept telling myself. Nobody has ever had such a lovely time as this!