Losing your capital is like losing your trousers. It is a real humiliation, and one not to be soon repeated. James Buchan capitalhumiliationlose Change image and share on social
Almost all novels are improved by cutting from the top. On their first pages, authors parade those favourite effects which disgust the impartial reader. James Buchan authorcutdisgust Change image and share on social
One of the admirable features of British novelists is that they have no scruple about setting their stories in foreign settings with wholly foreign personnel. James Buchan admirablebritishfeature Change image and share on social
Unlike despotisms, modern democracies are not supposed promiscuously to accumulate property and then charge their taxpayers to maintain it. But that is what they do. Governments are always trying to extend their responsibilities and their estates, and it is very hard for parliaments to reign them in. James Buchan accumulatechargedemocracy share on social
The great disadvantage of getting older is to be obliged to relive the salient economic events of one's youth, with nothing learned and nothing forgotten. James Buchan disadvantageeconomicevent Change image and share on social
Since the attack on the United States on September 11 2001, and the US retaliation in Afghanistan and Iraq, there must be few people who have not felt a twinge of nostalgia for the cold war. James Buchan afghanistanattackcold Change image and share on social
Economists, like royal children, are not punished for their errors. James Buchan childeconomisterror Change image and share on social
If good history is dispassionate history, it must naturally wait until the passions of the period subside. James Buchan dispassionategoodhistory Change image and share on social
An atheist is a man who has no invisible means of support. James Buchan atheistinvisibleman Change image and share on social
Financial crises are like fireworks: they illuminate the sky even as they go pop. James Buchan crisisfinancialfirework Change image and share on social