Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than ten years mere study of books.

Sit in reverie and watch the changing color of the waves that break upon the idle seashore of the mind.

The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service.

On Anzac Day, coffee and jokes with a Turk might be the most meaningful and fair dinkum dawn service you could possibly have.

The fact is that my wife if she had common sense would have more power over me than any other whatsoever, for my heart always alights upon the nearest perch.

As a writer, I try to do different things, but I'm not going to become a darker artist or turn into Radiohead overnight. I don't think that's my style.