Zadie Smith, White Teeth

"But dying is no easy trick. And suicide can't be put on a list of Things To Do in between cleaning the grill pan and leveling the sofa leg with a brick. It is the decision not to do, to un-do; a kiss blown at oblivion. No matter what anyone says, suicide takes guts. It is for heroes and martyrs, truly vainglorious men."

"And in the past, Archie wondered, was it just that fewer people cheated? Were they more honest, and did they leave their front doors open, did they leave their kids with the neighbors, pay social calls, run up tabs with the butcher? The funny thing about getting old in a country is people always want to hear that from you. They want to hear it really was once a green and pleasant land. They need it."

"Some of us are happy with our African hair, thank you very much. I don't want some poor Indian girl's hair. And I wish to God I could buy black hair products from black people for once. How we going to make it in this country if we don't make our own business?"

"More silence; children's silence, so desperately desired by adults yet eerie when it finally occurs."

"Every moment happens twice: inside and outside, and they are two different histories."

"You must live life with the full knowledge that your actions will remain. We are creatures of consequence."

"When the male organ of a man stands erect, two thirds of his intelect go away. And one third of his religion."

"We are split people. For myself, half of me wishes to sit quietly with legs crossed, letting the things that are beyond my control wash over me. But the other half wants to fight a holy war. Jihad! And certainly we could argue this out in the street, but I think, in the end, your past is not my past and your truth is not my truth and your solution---it is not my solution. So I do not know what it is you would like me to say. Truth and firmness is one suggestion, though there are many people you can ask if that answer does not satisfy. Personally, my hope lies in the last days. The prophet Muhammad---peace be upon Him!---tells us that on the Day of Resurrection everyone will be struck unconscious. Deaf and dumb. No chitchat. Tongueless. And what a bloody relief that will be."

"It's still easier to find the correct Hoover bag than to find one pure person, one pure faith, on the globe."

"Cos if it's encyclopedias we've got enough, like, information... and if it's God, you've got the wrong house."

"In the end, your past is not my past and your truth is not my truth and your solution - is not my solution."