A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example.

I have thought a sufficient measure of civilization is the influence of good women.

Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.

Every war results from the struggle for markets and spheres of influence and every war is sold to the public by professional liars and totally sincere religious maniacs as a Holy Crusade to save God and Goodness from Satan and Evil.

Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children.

The future influences the present just as much as the past.

Hold fast to the Bible. To the influence of this Book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization and to this we must look as our guide in the future.

People ask 'do you make a conscious effort not to swear?' - if you're doing silly stuff you're not tempted to put swearing in. All the comics from my childhood who were funny without swearing were the people that influenced me. What I do is quite traditional anyway.

My Father had a profound influence on me. He was a lunatic.

I think romance is friendship and attraction sort of meeting together and that does influence what I'm writing a lot. I try to establish the attraction obviously but I also think it's important to show the characters having actual conversations about things other than their feelings for each other - and to develop their friendship on the page.