The conversion of agnostic High Tories to the Anglican church is always rather suspect. It seems too pat and predictable, too clearly a matter of politics rather than faith.

Nothing in human life is inherently private.

I value my Catholic background very much. It taught me not to be afraid of rigorous thought, for one thing.

In the deep night of metaphysics, all cats look black.

Literature transforms and intensifies ordinary language, deviates systematically from everyday speech. If you approach me at a bus stop and murmur Thou still unravished bride of quietness, then I am instantly aware that I am in the presence of the literary.

Genuine equality means not treating everyone the same, but attending equally to everyone’s different needs.

For the liberal state to accommodate a diversity of beliefs while having few positive convictions is one of the more admirable achievements of civilization.