But you don't have your druthers in life, do you?

I appreciate people who are civil, whether they mean it or not. I think: Be civil. Do not cherish your opinion over my feelings. There's a vanity to candor that isn't really worth it. Be kind.

The ocean is interacting with the surface. There is a possible biosphere that extends from way below the surface to just above the crust.

A play gets on Broadway by fluke. And you don't even start out with that ambition. When I do a play, the intention is just to put it up somewhere.

The world requires me to re-write its wretched dialogue!

It is always better to try and fail than not to try.

The fans are always more radical than that which they are fans.

Writing, to be memorable, must be done in a state of impassioned serenity.

I've found that many of the greatest ideas surface in bars because that's where many people cultivate inspiration.

Life could do nothing for her, beyond giving time for a better preparation for death.

There is a kind way of assisting our fellow-creatures which is enough to break their hearts while it saves their outer envelope.

I honestly don't read that much. Obviously I read chess books - in terms of favorites, Kasparov's 'My Great Predecessors' is pretty good.

Anywhere I go, there is always an incredible crowd that follows me. In Rome, as I land at the airport, even the men kiss me. I love Rome.

I was an academic and I lost my assignment at Harvard. Meanwhile, [David Petraeus] gets invited to Harvard to become a fellow.

New Year = A New Life! Decide today who you will become, what you will give how you will live.