Alexander McCall Smith is an English author, short story writer, children novel writer, professor and academician, best known for his work ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series. In 1978, Alexander co-wrote an academic text ‘Power and Manoeuvrability’ and in 1980 he wrote his first children’s book ‘The White Hippo’. From 1980-98, Alexander published 30 books, most of which were children’s books including ‘The Perfect Hamburger’, ‘Calculator Annie’, ‘The Doughnut Ring’, ‘The Bubblegum Tree’ and anthologies such as ‘Children of Wax: African Folk Tales’ and ‘Heavenly Date and Other Flirtations’. In 1998, Alexander published his first novel ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’, which became a best-seller. Subsequently, Alexander published 16 books under the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series from 2002-16 including ‘The Kalahari Typing School for Men’, ‘Blue Shoes and Happiness’, ‘Tears of the Giraffe’, ‘Morality for Beautiful Girls’, ‘The Double Comfort Safari Club’, ‘The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon’, and ‘Precious and Grace’. In his stint at the University of Botswana, Alexander co-wrote the ‘The Criminal Law of Botswana’, which is the sole book on Botswana’s legal system. Alexander also has some novel series to his credits such as ’44 Scotland Street’ series, ‘The Sunday Philosophy Club’ series, ‘Corduroy Mansions’ series. His books, essays and other writings have become popular quotations and are frequently quoted by people. A collection of sayings, thoughts and quotations by Alexander McCall Smith on irony, life, knowledge and philosophy.