Courtney Pine
British jazz musician
When I realised that I could be a musician. I was 16.
When were you happiest?
Question
Are you afraid of death?
Death & what remains
Question
What do you value most in your friends?
Relationships
Question
How close have you come to death?
Death & what remains
Question
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
Values & belief
Question
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Identity & self
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
Probably when our children were small, which is not to say I am unhappy now.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 March 2018 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 585 →
Rupert Graves
English actor
When I am completely absorbed in something, such as when I pick up my guitar and have a little sing.
Irvine Welsh
Scottish novelist
Happiness is mostly intrinsic: you’re either a happy soul or a miserable bastard. Fortunately, I’m the former.
Suzi Quatro
American-British rock musician
When my first child was born – something I thought would never happen.
More from John Malkovich
View profile →I don’t think so! You can’t really know that until the moment of your death, at which point you will probably not be afraid because you won’t be there. I have a very old friend who called me last year to say, “Okay I am done. I am not fighting this anymore. I am checking out. I am calling to say goodbye because I am not really conscious most of the time. I am cutting off the pain killers.” He seemed okay. That was not the moment of his death, but it was within two or three days.
That they’re kind, trustworthy, smart, and can hear and communicate and aren’t afraid to do so.
When I was an idiot high school student, as opposed to being an idiot adult, I used to drive very fast.
I admire the mother of my children a great deal, because she’s interesting, smart and funny.
Watching seeds grow in the greenhouse. Drawing or reading or cooking.
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