Reading is a dissuasion from immorality. Reading stands in the place of company.
If democracy is to be rebuilt … it is necessary not just for the public to learn to trust their politicians, but for the politicians to learn to trust the public.
Democracy is not simply a question of structures. It is a state of mind. It is an activity.
The question shouldn't be what we ought to do, but what we can do.
I do a lot of work with policymakers, but how much effect am I having? It’s like they’re coming in and saying to you, ‘I’m going to drive my car off a cliff. Should I or should I not wear a seatbelt?’ And you say, ‘I don’t think you should drive your car off the cliff. ’ And they say, ‘No, no, that bit’s already been decided—the question is whether to wear a seatbelt. ’ And you say, ‘Well, you might as well wear a seatbelt. ’ And then they say, ‘We’ve consulted with policy expert Rory Stewart and he says. . . . ’
I found incredible kindness, dignity and hospitality in both Iraq and Afghanistan - am only alive because of it - the most worthwhile lesson of a twenty month walk to these countries was a deepening appreciation of the kindness of strangers.
I had been walking one afternoon in Scotland and thought: Why don't I just keep going? There was, I said, a magic in leaving a line of footprints stretching across Asia.
All you do is get on and start pedaling. . .
I personally love sportswear, and love using it in high fashion.
The stupid thief wears the sheep bell around his neck! Such stupidity of the bad is always good for the society!
Adolescence as the time when an individual ‘recapitulates’ the savage stage of the race’s past.