I have the same sense of the power and virtue of knowledge that some people get from a religious background.

Why do we do basic research? To learn about ourselves.

It's easier to change what you do than people think it is. If you don't change, your field changes around you.

Biology will relate every human gene to the genes of other animals and bacteria, to this great chain of being.

The virtues of science are skepticism and independence of thought.

The interaction of the variation in our genes is what's responsible for lots of our attributes and vigor.

We haven't been able yet to determine in terms of genes what makes a human being a human and not another mammal.

Three billion bases of DNA sequence can be put on a single compact disc and one will be able to pull a CD out of one's pocket and say, 'Here is a human being; it's me!'

The community as a whole doesn't listen patiently to critics who adopt alternative viewpoints. Although the great lesson of history is that knowledge develops through the conflict of viewpoints.

Early on, it's good to develop the ability to write. Learning to write is a useful exercise, even if what you're writing about is not that relevant.

The human's place in the universe will be set in the scheme of evolution, the product of our biological inheritance.

I am going to build a fortress of books.Will you come inside and live with me?

Star in the sky is useless to the world, Star on the stage makes the difference to the world.

Whence? wither? why? how? - these questions cover all philosophy.

At the heart of Christian faith is the story of Jesus' death and resurrection.

That's so difficult, to try to deal with every hater. I don't expect people to like my music whatsoever. How I deal with it is, I don't give them fuel.

Remember this: Beliefs divide, values unite. When we go to the values that underlie so many religious beliefs, they unite us.

I can't tell the difference between my work life and my private life - it's all the same to me.

Rock became an incredible commercial success, people just became bored with serious music, and it was forgotten.

The way that you remember your life, it's never linear. You have flashes of different moments of your life, and the flashes aren't equal; they have different styles.

I'm a big man and I like big dogs.... The dogs kept growing until only one of us could get in the elevator. It caused enough hassles so they finally kicked me out of my apartment.