Know how to rank your beliefs not according to their plausibility but by the harm they may cause.

Missing a train is only painful if you run after it! Likewise, not matching the idea of success others expect from you is only painful if that’s what you are seeking.

You cannot do anything with knowledge unless you know where it stops, and the costs of using it.

It took us a while to discover that we do effectively think, but that we more readily narrate backward in order to give ourselves the illusion of understanding, and give a cover to our past actions.

A theory is like medicine (or government): often useless, sometimes necessary, always self-serving, and on occasion lethal. So it needs to be used with care, moderation and close adult supervision.

The problem is that our ideas are sticky: once we produce a theory, we are not likely to change our minds....

Black is modest and arrogant at the same time. Black is lazy and easy - but mysterious. But above all black says this: "I don’t bother you - don’t bother me".

Who do you love more, your thoughts or God?

Every great work of art has two faces, one toward its own time and one toward the future, toward eternity.

A poet, to whom no one cruel or imposing listens, Disdained by senates, whispers to your dust.

Contemplating the suffering which is unbearable to us, and is unbearable to others, too, can produce awake mind, which arises from the compassion that wishes to free all living beings from suffering.

If other people see you differently, you’ll end up seeing them differently, too.

The important work of moving the world forward does not wait to be done by perfect men.

We do everything humanly possible, consistent with military necessity, taking many chances to avoid civilian casualties, at all costs.

I've just been reading about cycling. Yeah, I'm not that great at it but I like the challenge of it.

I'm not fond of ideologies. I don't like it when people have answers before they know the question.