Monologues, in some ways, are the most scientific descriptions of consciousness and even of gatherings.

I tend to foster drama via bleakness. If I want the reader to feel sympathy for a character, I cleave the character in half, on his birthday. And then it starts raining. And he's made of sugar.

What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness.

What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded . . . sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly.

Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial.

Developing our sympathetic compassion is not only possible but the only reason for us to be here on earth.

According to me, your life is going to be a gradual process of becoming kinder and more loving. Hurry up. Speed it along. Start right now.

It's a big world, and I really like it.

Character is that sum total of moments we can't explain.

The generalizing writer is like the passionate drunk, stumbling into your house mumbling: I know I'm not being clear, exactly, but don't you kind of feel what I'm feeling?

Kindness, it turns out, is hard - it starts out all rainbows and puppy dogs, and expands to include . . . well, EVERYTHING.

I’ve grown up defined by this desperate, undeniable, ‘can’t breathe’ kind of space inside of myself and I’m afraid that the diagnosis is fatal.

You have told me, O God, to believe in hell. But you have forbidden me to think...of any man as damned

Jump every hurdle. If you feel like everything negative has happened to you, you were given these obstacles because the Universe knows that you are strong enough to handle it.

All resources in your possession is an opportunity for service.

He that is discontented in one place will seldom be happy in another.

I haven't seen one guy beat five people yet. It needs to be done collectively.

I want to be a representative and be a role model for the Asian American community.

You need to work as hard to be a great teammate as you do to be a great player

Safe is just another word for scared.

Poetry has been the longest pleasure of my life.