Every man who rises above the common level has received two educations: the first from his teachers; the second, more personal and important, from himself.

And the winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.

Imam Hussain's sacrifice is for all groups and communities, an example of the path of rightousness.

I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.

The various modes of worship which prevailed in the Roman world were all considered by the people as equally true; by the philosopher as equally false; and by the magistrate as equally useful.

And thus toleration produced not only mutual indulgence, but even religious concord. The superstition of the people was not embittered theological rancor.

Let us read with method, and propose to ourselves an end to which our studies may point. The use of reading is to aid us in thinking.

In the end, they wanted security more than they wanted freedom.

Conversation enriches the understanding, but solitude is the school of genius.

Vicissitudes of fortune, which spares neither man nor the proudest of his works, which buries empires and cities in a common grave.

We improve ourselves by victories over ourselves. There must be contest, and we must win.

We all care intensely for the narrative of our own life and very much want it to be a good story, with a decent hero.

Y’know, it’s not that we need equality. Because everyone’s already equal, it’s just that a ton of idiots lost the memo. Indeed, everyone just needs to be TREATED like the equal they already are.

I'm not a fan of Donald Trump. To be perfectly honest, I don't think violence is the answer to anything and I think, hopefully, she [Hillary Clinton] will be our president.

People like to re-invent you, according to cliché. There are a lot of stores about me that really apply only to Capote or Mailer or somebody else. Everything is a mish mash.

You must first spend some time getting your model to relax. Then you'll get a natural expression.

All my weak days have a common cause - I have neglected communion with God through my neglect of the Scriptures & prayer. When will I learn?

Would have. Could have. Should have. This is the language of condemnation underscored by the passivity of regret. It’s a dead language. The thing is, you can’t un-sin. You can only repent.

The face that's in the mirror when I don't like what I see / I guess that's just the cowboy in me.

You have to believe in yourself in spite of what other people believe.