“Social scientists are not universally liked or appreciated, but we are still marginally more acceptable than alcoholics and escaped lunatics.”

“...fine love poetry tends to be written when the object of one's affection is at a safe distance; also, it often reflects a love of words more than a love of women...”

“Humour is our 'default mode', if you like: we do not have to switch it on deliberately, and we cannot switch it off.”

“A truly English protest march would see us all chanting: 'What do we want? GRADUAL CHANGE! When do we want it? IN DUE COURSE!”

“The mug was so warm, and my hands so cold, that it didn't feel as if we belonged in the same universe.”

“You will surely smile with me when I say, 'Thank God one can still recognise self-pity as such and not give it any greater dignity than just that.”

“I believe in fate because Spencer is in my life. He's saved me more times than he knows, just by being there.”