There is nothing that an intellectual less likes to change than his mind, or a politician his policy.

The need always to lie and always to avoid the truth stripped everyone of what Custine called 'the two greatest gifts of God-the soul and the speech which communicates it.' People became hypocritical, cunning, mistrustful, cynical, silent, cruel, and indifferent to the fate of others as a result of the destruction of their own souls.

When every benefit received is a right, there is no place for good manners, let alone for gratitude.

There is nothing that an intellectual less likes to change than his mind, or a politician his policy.

Do I grow cleverer with age, or does the world grow more stupid?

Obesity is the result of a loss of self-control. Indeed, loss of self-control might be said to be the defining social (or anti-social) characteristic of our age: public drunkenness, excessive gambling, promiscuity and common-or-garden rudeness are all examples of our collective loss of self-control.

The aim of untold millions is to be free to do exactly as they choose and for someone else to pay when things go wrong.