All cultures through all time have constantly been engaged in a dance with new possibilities for life. Change is the one constant in human history.

The world in which you were born is just one model of reality. Other cultures are not failed attempts at being you; they are unique manifestations of the human spirit.

A language is not just a body of vocabulary or a set of grammatical rules. ... Every language is an old-growth forest of the mind.

The measure of a society is not only what it does but the quality of its aspirations.

The surface of the Earth itself is an immense loom upon which the sun weaves the fabric of existence.

What is science but the pursuit of the truth? What is Buddhism but 2500 years of observation as to the nature of mind?

Risk discomfort and solitude for understanding.

Heroes are never perfect, but they're brave, they're authentic, they're courageous, determined, discreet, and they've got grit.

Its haunting to realize that half of the languages of the world are teetering on the brink of extinction.

Language is an old-growth forest of the mind.

You know, once something freezes, it's solid. That's the key to the arctic - they didn't fear the cold, they made use of it.

If human brain is like the world, then positive thinking must be the size of mountain, and negative thinking must be the size of mustard seed and not vice versa.

Even in the heart of the darkness, You will find a spot of light

You ought to pray for strength to endure every circumstance.

Infidel n: in New York one who does not believe in the Christian religion in Constantinople one who does.

I can do a good roast with my eyes closed. I'm amazing with gravy. That's my speciality even other people ask me to do gravy at their house. I'm very proud of my gravy.

You sort of have to be always aware, even when you're not thinking of shooting. That's when the best stuff happens.

While I was writing Wild Swans I thought the famine was the result of economic mismanagement but during the research I realised that it was something more sinister.

In scene after scene, meaning sneaks in and sometimes roars.

You can handle anything.

In my opinion, sexiness comes down to three things: chemistry, sense of humor, and treatment of waitstaff at restaurants.