"I alone of English writers have consciously set myself to make music out of what I may call the sound of sense."

"There are two kinds of teachers: the kind that fill you with so much quail shot that you can't move, and the kind that just gives you a little prod behind and you jump to the skies."

"Always fall in with what you're asked to accept. Take what is given, and make it over your way. My aim in life has always been to hold my own with whatever's going. Not against: with."

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."

"The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works, is the family."

"I only tour in short bursts, I'm only ever away from my family and three daughters for a month or two."

"My older sister is bossy, my brother is a stirrer and me - well, I am perfect!"

"Making movies was more a reaction to not being chosen for sports. Other kids were out there playing at whatever I was off making something blow up and filming it, or making a mould of my sister's head using alginating plaster."