If a secret history of books could be written, and the authors private thoughts and meanings noted down alongside of his story, how many insipid volumes would become interesting, and dull tales excite the reader! – William Makepeace Thackeray

Its very attractive to people to be a victim. Instead of having to think out the whole situation, about history and your group and what you are doing… if you begin from the point of view of being a victim, youve got it half-made. I mean intellectually. – V. S. Naipaul

I cannot lead you into battle. I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else – I can give my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations. – Queen Elizabeth II