“White people have nothing to fear from understanding their history- they're not responsible for it. It's like having therapy… it's understanding our past behaviours so that we don't repeat them. I think we need to face up to our imperial history for the same reasons.”
— Sathnam Sanghera
British journalist and author, wrote "The Boy with the Topknot

The quote archive

Wisdom in fragments

A growing archive of 3,000+ moments, drawn from every interview.

Those who criticise China have a case to complain about the contributory role the country's authoritarian system played in the spread of the pandemic, but that very system also allowed authorities to get a quick grip on it and bring it under control with impressive efficiency.

— Yonden Lhatoo

Last week I was asked to help the NHS get video-consultations up and running in every GP practice in the country, in one week.

— Professor Trish Greenhalgh

Professor of Evidence-Based Medicine & Implementation Science at Oxford University

It's a roll of the dice whenever one of these novel viruses emerges; sometimes they will be severe and contagious enough to cause a problem, and this one is.

— Gideon Lichfield

The world lacks creative imagination when it comes to mother nature- we believe that we have the power to bend nature to our desires and forget that we're vulnerable. Nature is a combination of biology, physics and chemistry- they are collectively much stronger at bending the world than we are.

— Professor Michael Osterholm

Leading infectious disease epidemiologist and pandemic preparedness expert

Read a lot. Never accept current standards. Always improve yourself. And remember, you always meet twice in life.

— Nico Rosberg

Former Formula 1 World Champion, won 2016 title with Mercedes

For me it is extremely important that commercial interests and social benefits are not mutually exclusive, but that they can complement each other wonderfully so I always look out for products that are innovative, forward-thinking and offer a true value for society.

— Nico Rosberg

Former Formula 1 World Champion, won 2016 title with Mercedes

From a global point of view, we are currently in the middle of a technical revolution similar to what our grandparents experienced when everybody switched their horse carts for cars. The same is happening now and it is a phase of transition for many businesses.

— Nico Rosberg

Former Formula 1 World Champion, won 2016 title with Mercedes

When you have children, you have to ask yourself what the world will look like in the next 80-100 years, because people get that old these days if everything goes well. Last but not least, as a father I see it as my responsibility to think about my actions and my motives.

— Nico Rosberg

Former Formula 1 World Champion, won 2016 title with Mercedes

Having grown up and worked in this environment, I strongly believe there is a solution to everything as long as you are not willing to accept a status quo and constantly look for better results.

— Nico Rosberg

Former Formula 1 World Champion, won 2016 title with Mercedes

Had I not defended it and stood by it, I think it could have disappeared into history- but because I protected it, stood up for it, believed in it and understood why it existed and what it had done? That's why it still remains.

— Tracey Emin

British artist known for provocative conceptual and autobiographical works

There's a beauty in the truth which is undeniable. It's a tragedy in a way- sometimes we just need to understand what the hell we've truly lost.

— Tracey Emin

British artist known for provocative conceptual and autobiographical works

True art, real art, real creativity, comes from somewhere else. It isn't about a picture or decoration- there's a divinity to it…

— Tracey Emin

British artist known for provocative conceptual and autobiographical works

Most people would have a nervous breakdown if they didn't have their phone for a day; I would have a total breakdown if there was no culture, no art. I couldn't live without art, it would be impossible.

— Tracey Emin

British artist known for provocative conceptual and autobiographical works

Art is a vocation for me, not a career, not a job… you wouldn't say to a nun. 'so, how did you get into God?'

— Tracey Emin

British artist known for provocative conceptual and autobiographical works

I'm 65 years old, and one of the things that amazes me is the number of people who work to get to a certain level of success in showbusiness, and then quit to go play golf?! There is nothing else I would want to do in this world.

— Penn Jillette

Magician, Illusionist & Half of Penn & Teller Duo

Even when I was 16, if you had asked me what I wanted most in the world – I would have said, '…to be able to do shows, and have people watch them.' Realistically, for my level of ability, talent and work-ethic, we expected about 200 people a night to come and see us.

— Penn Jillette

Magician, Illusionist & Half of Penn & Teller Duo