Nothing is really so poor and melancholy as art that is interested in itself and not in its subject.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.

Do not have evil-doers for friends, do not have low people for friends: have virtuous people for friends, have for friends the best of men.

There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval.

The passions grafted on wounded pride are the most inveterate; they are green and vigorous in old age.

Each religion, by the help of more or less myth, which it takes more or less seriously, proposes some method of fortifying the human soul and enabling it to make its peace with its destiny.

Intelligence is quickness in seeing things as they are.

Experience seems to most of us to lead to conclusions, but empiricism has sworn never to draw them.

Man is a gregarious animal, and much more so in his mind than in his body. He may like to go alone for a walk, but he hates to stand alone in his opinions.

The Difficult is that which can be done immediately; the Impossible that which takes a little longer.

It is only when the whole heart is gripped with the passion of prayer that the life-giving fire descends for none but the earnest man gets access to the ear of God.

It is often my nature to be abstract, hidden in plain sight, or nowhere at all.

There are many things that keep me from getting married. But there will be a time when marriage makes sense to me.

It is absolutely my conviction, that Walter Salles will figure among the great directors of our time.

They are strewn with the wreckage of dead Empires - past Powers - only the Albanian "goes on for ever."

We seem to have set up some very arcane rules as to when it is actually OK to applaud.

When I'm dead are they going to remember me ? I don't really think about it, it's up to them. When I'm dead, who cares ? I don't.

You want magic to feel real.

Unlike my esteemed colleague Garry Kasparov, I don't restrict the strength of opposition to Elo <2000, as fly-swatting makes poor spectator sport. (on simultaneous exhibitions)

I mean, Rick James was just a man-made image, the image I created. Just trying to live Rick James almost killed me.