1
She had never been able to tolerate dishonesty, which she thought threatened the very heart of relationships between people. If you could not count on other people to mean what they said, or to do what they said they would do, then life could become utterly unpredictable. The fact that we could trust one another made it possible to undertake the simple tasks of life.Alexander McCall Smith
2
We all know that it is women who take the decisions, but we have to let men think that the decisions are theirs. It is an act of kindness on the part of women.Alexander McCall Smith
3
Mr Mandela, who had given his whole life for justice and had never once thought of himself. How unlike these people were modern politicians, who thought only of power and tricks.Alexander McCall Smith
4
If she was going to remain an engaged lady, then she would make the most of it, and one of the ways to do this would be to enjoy her free time.Alexander McCall Smith
5
When people ask for advice they very rarely want your advice and will go ahead and do what they want to do anyway, no matter what you say. That applied in every sort of case; it was a human truth of universal application, but one which most people knew little or nothing about.Alexander McCall Smith
6
To lose your own language was like forgetting your mother, and as sad, in a way.Alexander McCall Smith
7
They sang that song which distills all the suffering and the hope of Africa; that song which had inspired and comforted so many, “Nkosi Sikeleli Afrika, ” God Bless Africa, give her life, watch over her children.Alexander McCall Smith