All writers begin as readers, and the ones worth reading continue life as more prolific readers than writers.

Old friends are the great blessing of one's later years. ... They have a memory of the same events and have the same mode of thinking.

You come into the world alone and you go out of the world alone yet it seems to me you are more alone while living than even going and coming.

If one were to take the bible seriously one would go mad. But to take the bible seriously, one must be already mad.

I have to live with both my selves as best I may.

Acquaintance lessens fame.

The important thing here to understand is that the people that are at Guantanamo are bad people. I mean, these are terrorists for the most part.

The family was an art ... and the dinner table was the place it found expression.

I have traveled a lot around the world and have seen a lot of people come to my programs... [and it made me realize] that people of all ages - from little children to elders - listen to my nasheeds.

In perseverance, in self command, in forethought, in all virtues which conduce to success in life, the Scots have never been surpassed.

Not stepping over the bounds of modesty.