James Nesbitt Quotes

As a kid I decided that a Canadian accent doesn't sound tough. I thought guys should sound like Marlon Brando. So now I have a phony accent that I can't shake, so it's not phony anymore.

For the most part, we inherit our opinions. We are the heirs of habits and mental customs.

Of necessity, the autobiographical self is not just about one individual but about all the others that an individual interacts with. Of necessity, it incorporates the culture in which the interactions took place.

Most Muslims do not 'choose' Islam in the way that they choose to become doctors or lawyers, nor even in the way that they choose to become fans of Coldplay or Radiohead. Most Muslims, like people of any faith, are born into their religion.

I'm not really clear what the whole deal is with flags. I like my flag, but I wouldn't die for it. There's issues of identity, of course. That's going to always come in. I, for example, don't want to be called a 'North Britisher.' I want to be Scottish.

My upbringing was completely liberal from the start. In fact, I didn't even have a Muslim identity.

Without history we are the prisoners of the accident of where and when we were born.

I grew up in Vancouver, man. That's where more than half of my style comes from.

I registered Democrat because my parents did. They were, we were. There was no thinking behind it.

I think a lot of us who grew up in Northern Ireland weren't politicised enough, frankly.

I love England. I live and work here. My children have grown up here. I see no conflict between this and praying that my countrymen in Scotland never have to live another day under Conservative rule from London.

Since the Protestant majority in Northern Ireland wants to remain a part of Great Britain, and since Ireland itself has shown little interest in reunification, the IRA's prospects for success through political channels have always been limited.

The more I analyze the vital parts and lusty members of the political creation, the more my admiration of England has grown. I was always glad enough to be a British subject, but now I experience the full pride of my British citizenship.

I no longer know of political party, I only know Germans

I feel incredibly passionate about Scotland not becoming an independent country.

Before they became Americans, most white inhabitants of the 13 colonies considered themselves British. It was predictable, therefore, that they would lust after empire, because this was exactly what their counterparts on the other side of the Atlantic also did.

The Scottish desire for independence is, to some extent, a fabrication. They want to identify themselves as Scots but still to be part of a, to enjoy the subsidy they get from being part of the kingdom.

First and foremost, Scotland is my home, and I do consider myself Scottish, but I also feel very British, and I hope that Scotland stays within the Union. I have a real concern about independence.

The narratives in which you're born have a fierce pattern of repetition.

The thing is, I was always a republican, but I have to say I've become completely obsessed with the Queen.

My whole British culture in growing up is still with me for sure. I'm very grateful for that.

My father was never interested in anything outside England. He was an Anglophile who was interested in things that, in his mind, were quintessentially English.

I think we are all individuals at the end of the day. There's nothing about culture that can prescribe who you're meant to be.

Isn't it a remarkable coincidence almost everyone has the same religion as their parents ? And it always just happens to be the right religion. Religions run in families. If we'd been brought up in ancient Greece we would all be worshiping Zeus and Apollo. If we had been born Vikings we would be worshiping Wotan and Thor. How does this come about ? Through childhood indoctrination.

The Bible, undoubtedly, is a mixed bag. I don't see myself coming back to the Church. I do like the tradition. If you come from a strong culture, you can decide what you agree with and what you don't agree with. If you're given a blank canvas, it's almost harder in life.