Patriots always talk of dying for their country but never of killing for their country.

Sin is geographical.

Aristotle maintained that women have fewer teeth than men; although he was twice married, it never occurred to him to verify this statement by examining his wives' mouths.

We have in fact, two kinds of morality, side by side: one which we preach, but do not practice, and another which we practice, but seldom preach.

The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.

The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way.

Boredom is therefore a vital problem for the moralist, since at least half the sins of mankind are caused by the fear of it.

To be able to fill leisure intelligently is the last product of civilization, and at present very few people have reached this level.

There is no nonsense so errant that it cannot be made the creed of the vast majority by adequate governmental action.

The demand for certainty is one which is natural to man, but is nevertheless an intellectual vice.

Nothing is so exhausting as indecision, and nothing is so futile.

I'm rebelling against being handed a career, like, 'You're the next this; you're the next that.' I'm not the next anything, I'm the first me. I can't be myself, I can't just be Idris Elba. But that's just the nature of the business.

I'm an ambitious person. I never consider myself in competition with anyone, and I'm not saying that from an arrogant standpoint, it's just that my journey started so, so long ago, and I'm still on it and I won't stand still.

Everyone knows how to talk, and no one knows what to say.

“Adventures are all very well in their place, but there's a lot to be said for regular meals and freedom from pain.”

There are no short cuts to anywhere worth going.

Art is the signature of civilizations.

There is no shortcut to anyplace worth going.

Opera is an extremely disciplined art form, and every excess a singer indulges in has a direct effect on the voice.

There is something in me-I just can't stand to admit defeat.

Attachment to spiritual things is... just as much an attachment as inordinate love of anything else.

My voice had a long, nonstop career. It deserves to be put to bed with quiet and dignity, not yanked out every once in a while to see if it can still do what it used to do. It can't.

You don't always get what you ask for, but you never get what you don't ask for... unless it's contagious!

There is a growing strength in women but it's in the forehead, not the forearm.