Faith in the possibility of science, generated antecedently to the development of modern scientific theory, is an unconscious derivative from medieval theology.

No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.

The art of progress is to preserve order amid change and to preserve change amid order.

If a dog jumps into your lap, it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat does the same thing, it is because your lap is warmer.

There are no whole truths: All truths are half-truths.

Not ignorance, but ignorance of ignorance, is the death of knowledge.

Religion is the last refuge of human savagery.

Philosophy begins in wonder. And, at the end, when philosophic thought has done its best, the wonder remains.

...the self-satisfied dogmatism with which mankind at each period of its history cherishes the delusion of the finality of existing modes of knowledge.

Knowledge shrinks as wisdom grows.

Symbolism is no mere idle fancy or corrupt degeneration: it is inherent in the very texture of human life.

Every time a stupid politician says something stupid, you don’t have to reply to him, because it is nonsense to shoo every barking dog away!

Psychopaths... people who know the differences between right and wrong, but don't give a shit. That's what most of my characters are like.

I don't believe in just ordering people to do things. You have to sort of grab an oar and row with them.

God is always better than he has to be. You can count on that.

The point is, as death gets closer - what's so wrong with wanting someone you love to live forever?

Listen to the whisperings of the Spirit, the gift of revelation to which you are entitled.

That's nothing - my alarm clock is set for eight.

A novelist must know what his last chapter is going to say and one way or another work toward that last chapter. ... To me it is utterly basic, yet it seems like it's a great secret.

I don't like bullies. No one has a right to take or to hurt just because they can.

You are what you are most profoundly thankful for, and what you love.