Altruism is for those who cannot endure their desires.

Pain narrows consciousness; pleasure blurs it.

When Medusa looks in the mirror, she sees the Lady of Sorrows.

My passions have never jumped out of the fireplace and set fire to the carpet.

Retirement requires the invention of a new hedonism, not a return to the hedonism of youth

The sewing machine joins what the scissors have cut asunder, plus whatever else comes in its path.

Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story.

The laughter of the aphorism is sometimes triumphant, but seldom carefree.

'Be faithful to your roots' is the liberal version of 'Stay in your ghetto.'

Every day begins with an act of courage and hope: getting out of bed.

Totem poles and wooden masks no longer suggest tribal villages but fashionable drawing rooms in New York and Paris.

A really well-done first draft of a book bares your soul. The purpose of revision is so that everyone who reads the published version believes you were writing about theirs.

Investing in science education and curiosity-driven research is investing in the future.

Whatever has happened to you in your past has no power over this present moment, because life is now.

I cannot name this, I cannot explain this, and I really don't want to so just call me shameless.

The radio makes hideous sounds.

Without Allah on your side, you can do nothing. With Allah on your side, there is nothing you cannot do

When we know deep down that we're acting with integrity despite impulses to do otherwise, we feel gates of higher energy and inspiration open inside of us.

Love much dear friends for love will bring the healing joy and hope of Spring. . .

Burdens are the foundations of ease and bitter things the forerunners of pleasure.

I feel like I've been very fortunate in that I've stuck like a burr to the dog-leg of the next generation of nerdism. I've been carried into the XXIth century on Bill Gates' pants-cuff.