People generally believe that which they wish to believe and disbelieve that which is unpleasant.

Freedom and security are not compatible. As one increases the other diminishes.

When I encourage someone, I see it as an investment in their resilience.

It's much easier, after all, to learn mathematics from someone who's made a few mistakes. It's impossible to learn it from someone who always gets it right.

There are innumerable ways to murder a person, but the most subtle and pernicious of these is to mutilate the soul of the innocent by denying or downgrading their uniqueness and their beauty.

Hymns are companions for life travelers.

For me--I hold no commerce with despair!

There either is a god or there is not; there is a 'design' or not.

I have said that each aspect of the novel demands a different quality of the reader. Well, the prophetic aspect demands two qualities: humility and the suspension of the sense of humour.

The first thing I look for in a woman is warmth-femininity. It's got nothing to do with a pretty face.

You've got to use your celebrity for good stuff, not evil. I think it's lame when people act as if they're better than everyone!

Not even the gods fight against necessity.