In a dung heap, even a plastic bead can gleam like a sapphire.

Seriousness is no more a guarantee of truth, insight, authenticity or probity, than humour is a guarantee of superficiality and stupidity.

I get an urge, like a pregnant elephant, to go away and give birth to a book.

The service took place on one of those afternoons that occur only in the past.

As children everyone thinks their family is weird and they're upset by the weirdness of their own family.

I'm absolute attacking my own instinct for politeness, but I think I admire artists who just speak out or who are strong, so it's very hard.

If you go looking for loonies and religious fanatics and dropouts and freaks, I dare say you'll find it.