I’m afraid, John I can't congratulation you.

All emotion, and in particular love stand opposed to the pure, cold reason I hold above all things.

A wedding is, in my considered opinion, nothing short of a celebration of all that is false and specious and irrational and sentimental in this ailing and morally compromised world.

Today we honour the deathwatch beetle that is doom ofour society, and in time, one feels certain, our entire species

If I burden myself with a little helpmate during my adventures, this is not our of sentiment or caprice, it is that he has many fine qualities of his own that he has overlooked in his obsession with me.

Indeed, any reputation I have for mental acuity and sharpness comes, in truth from the extraordinary contrast John so selflessly provides.

In this fact, I believe, that brides tend to favour exceptionally pain bridesmaids for their big day. There is a certain analogy there, I feel.

And contrast is, after all, Gods own plan to enhance the beauty of his creation.Or it would be if God were not a ludicrous fantasy designed to provide a career opportunity for the family idiot.

The point I'm trying to make is that I am the most unpleasant, rude,ignorant and all-round obnoxious arsehole that anyone could possibly have the misfortune to meet.

I am dismissive of the virtuous, unaware of the beautiful and uncomprehendingin the face of the happy.

So if I didn't understand I was being asked to be the best man, it isbecause I never expected to be anybody's best friend.

And certainly not the best friend of the bravest and kindest and wisest human being I have ever had the good fortune of knowing.

John, I am a ridiculous man.

Redeemed only by the warmth and constancy of your friendship. But as I am apparently your best friend, I cannot congratulate you on your choice ofcompanion.

Actually, now I can.

Mary, when I say you deserve this man, it is the highest compliment of which I am capable.

John ,you have endured war and injury and tragic loss----so sorry again about that last one----so know this, today you sit between the woman you have made your wife and the man you have saved.

In short, the two people who love you most in all this world.

And I know I speak for Mary as well when I say, we will never let youdown and we have a lifetime ahead to prove that.