Alexander McCall Smith Quotes

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Alexander McCall Smith

Profession : Writer

Birth : August 24, 1948

One of the most destructive things that's happening in modern society is that we are losing our sense of the bonds that bind people together - which can lead to nightmares of social collapse.

Alexander McCall Smith

It seems to me that we're in danger of losing sight of certain basic civic values in society by allowing the growth of a whole generation of people who really have no sense of attachment to society.

Alexander McCall Smith

It's through the small things that we develop our moral imagination, so that we can understand the sufferings of others.

Alexander McCall Smith

But you cannot expect every writer to dwell on human suffering. I think my books do deal with grave issues. People who say they are too positive probably haven't read them.

Alexander McCall Smith

That my philosophy of life is, as far as possible, one of enjoyment. I'm not nihilistic.

Alexander McCall Smith

Well, I'd say all of us are a combination of moods and emotions. In my day to day life I don't go around skipping, but at times one can feel sheer exhilarating joy at the world.

Alexander McCall Smith

Every single day, I get letters - very moving, overwhelming letters - testifying how much my books have meant to people in times of crisis in their lives, when they were very ill, say. If I ever doubted that writing could play an important part in people's lives, I don't doubt that now.

Alexander McCall Smith

I've also long since realized that the way to really engage children is to give out prizes; it's amazing how it concentrates their minds.

Alexander McCall Smith

The local community is very important in one's life; the feelings of identification with a place and people.

Alexander McCall Smith

If you lose sight of the smaller accomplishments, you end up with an imbalance in your life.

Alexander McCall Smith

Edinburgh used to be a haughty city.

Alexander McCall Smith

The Okavango Delta is an astonishing sight: the great Okavango River, rather than flow towards the sea, flows inland, into the sands of the Kalahari.

Alexander McCall Smith

As a writer, I have readers who will have a range of political views. I don't think they look to me for political guidance.

Alexander McCall Smith

I think people in Botswana are pleased that my books paint a positive picture of their lives and portray the country as being very special. They've made a great success of their country, and the people are fed up with the constant reporting of only the problems and poverty of the continent. They welcome something which puts the positive side.

Alexander McCall Smith

I'm interested in character and dialogue and exchange of ideas.

Alexander McCall Smith

You do not have to ladle on the impasto to make a point about human frailty or ambitions.

Alexander McCall Smith

I've always had a creative urge and I get immense satisfaction from creating something because it feels like I'm making sense of the world and imposing order on it.

Alexander McCall Smith

With '44 Scotland Street' I found myself having to work out how a daily novel works, and it is completely different to a conventional novel.

Alexander McCall Smith

My wife Elizabeth and I started The Really Terrible Orchestra for people like us who are pretty hopeless musicians who would like to play in an orchestra. It has been a great success. We give performances; we've become the most famous bad orchestra in the world.

Alexander McCall Smith

Oh I love gadgets and I pride myself on keeping at the cutting edge of technology.

Alexander McCall Smith