The philosopher John Wisdom, not to be confused with his cousin John Oulton Wisdom also a contributor to philosophy, enjoyed teaching in parables. In his ‘Paradox and Discovery’, 1965, there is one of his stories I have always held close.

‘It is, I believe, extremely difficult to breed lions. But there was at one time at the Dublin zoo a keeper by the name of Mr Flood who bred many lion cubs without losing one. Asked the secret of his success, Mr Flood replied, ‘Understanding lions’. Asked in what consists the understanding of lions, he replied, ‘Every lion is different’. It is not to be thought that Mr Flood, in seeking to understand an individual lion, did not bring to bear his great experience with other lions. Only he remained free to see each lion for itself.’

While sitting at the bus stop this morning I noticed that the woman sitting beside me was talking on her mobile phone, something I have often done myself. Suddenly a person on a motorbike rode past on the pavement, snatched her phone and continued on their way. She was shocked and so was I. When I came home I checked the CCTV on the side of my house in case they had turned down Braganza Street at that time. A motorbike had. I could see the number plate clearly. I phoned the police and gave the details. I was told that this was a second incident reported today of someone on that motorbike snatching a telephone. CCTV may intrude on our liberties. It may also catch criminals and, as I’ve discovered from previous encounters between my CCTV and the police, set people free

It is fine to quote memorable sayings by the famous. Alongside these there are some different people have said to me over the years that have stuck.

When I said of someone that they had really changed for the better my mother commented, “Or you have.”

“Don’t use but when you mean and.”

When I had suggested someone was a ‘social climber’ my mother said, “Do not ascribe to others the motives you would have in that situation.” That stung. It must have hit the mark.

When I had asked whether to reprimand someone my mother advised, “Remember that it is only useful to tell him off to the extent he knows that you love him.”

When I thought I had stopped believing in God a colleague commented casually, “Don’t worry about it. What is far more important is that God believes in you.”

“We are human beings not human doings.” A priest.

“Human sexuality is far too multifaceted a gift of God for the word ‘disordered’ to be used lightly.” Fr Bill Scott.

“I do hope there is sex in heaven. I have had precious little of it in this life and from what I have heard it must be fun.” A priest when dying.

“Always get to know the locals. The locals are the best thing in any country you visit.” Cousin Mary.

“Evil rarely presents itself as evil. It hides behind what is good. This why religion which is good is so often used for evil purposes.” A priest.

“Frequently it’s not a matter of, either-or, but rather, both-and.” A priest.

“Sometimes its not a matter of understanding what is, but rather of accepting that it is.” Cousin Pauline.

And again, a conversation with my mother when, I am told, I was old enough to know better. I knew I was her favourite out of her six children so, one day, just to make certain, I asked her,

“You do love me most of all, don’t you?” “No, I don’t.” “Don’t you tell me you love us all the same! I won’t believe you!” “I don’t love you all the same.” “Then who do you love the most?” “I love the most the one who is away from home until they are home again; the one who is sick until they are well again; the one who is distressed or unhappy until they are happy again. That is the one I love the most.”

The police called the other day. There had been an incident at Kennington Station across the road. It might have been recorded on the CCTV on my house. “Does it work?” The policeman asked referring to the CCTV. When I said it did he was surprised and explained to me that for many who had CCTV it was there as a deterrent, just for show. A case of ‘Beware of the dog’ when there’s no dog. They copied a recording. I don’t know if it helped their enquiry. The last time the police used my CCTV it helped set someone free.

“I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught”

Winston Churchill