"In 1930s mysteries, all sorts of motives were credible which aren't credible today, especially motives of preventing guilty sexual secrets from coming out. Nowadays, people sell their guilty sexual secrets."

"I believe that political correctness can be a form of linguistic fascism, and it sends shivers down the spine of my generation who went to war against fascism."

"Human kindness is like a defective tap, the first gush may be impressive but the stream soon dries up."

"It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life."

"We English are good at forgiving our enemies; it releases us from the obligation of liking our friends."

"What the detective story is about is not murder but the restoration of order."

"There comes a time when every scientist, even God, has to write off an experiment."

"God gives every bird his worm, but He does not throw it into the nest."