In Britain, by contrast, we still think that class plays a part in determining a persons life chances, so were less inclined to celebrate success and less inclined to condemn failure. The upshot is that its much easier to be a failure in Britain than it is in America. – Toby Young

America thinks of itself as a meritocracy, so people have more respect for success and more contempt for failure. – Toby Young

Ive become a professional failure – in order to pay the mortgage I have to remain unemployed. Luckily, a disaster always seems to befall me at exactly the right moment. – Toby Young