I think probably kindness is my number one attribute in a human being. I'll put it before any of the things like courage or bravery or generosity or anything else. Brian Sibley: Or brains even? Oh gosh, yes, brains is one of the least. You can be a lovely person without brains, absolutely lovely. Kindness - that simple word. To be kind - it covers everything, to my mind. If you're kind that's it.

The reason I collect good ideas is because plots themselves are very difficult indeed to come by.

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

A girl should think about making herself look attractive so she can get a good husband later on. Looks is more important than books, Miss Hunky..." "The name is Honey," Miss Honey said. "Now look at me," Mrs Wormwood said. "Then look at you. You chose books. I chose looks.

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

Unless you have been to boarding-school when you are very young, it is absolutely impossible to appreciate the delights of living at home.

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