603 Quotes by Alexander McCall Smith

Most people want nothing to happen. That is the problem with governments these days. They want to do things all the time; they are always very busy thinking of what things they can do next. That is not what people want. People want to be left alone to look after their cattle.

I'm interested in character and dialogue and exchange of ideas.

I'm very interested in tea. I wouldn't mind being involved in some aspect of the tea industry.

The telling of a story, like virtually everything in this life, was always made all the easier by a cup of tea.

I've also long since realized that the way to really engage children is to give out prizes; it's amazing how it concentrates their minds.

With '44 Scotland Street' I found myself having to work out how a daily novel works, and it is completely different to a conventional novel.

Writers obviously have to bear witness to the harsh face of the age.

You do not have to ladle on the impasto to make a point about human frailty or ambitions.

You're always told by your publisher that you must only write one book a year and some years you should perhaps write none at all.