People get annoyed when you try to debug them.

Younger hackers are hard to classify. They're probably just as diverse as the old hackers are. We're all over the map.

At many levels, Perl is a 'diagonal' language.

Most of you are familiar with the virtues of a programmer. There are three, of course: laziness, impatience, and hubris.

For me, writing is a love-hate relationship.

Portability should be the default.

I think software patents are a bad idea. Many patents are given for trivial inventions.

Symmetry is overrated. Overrated is symmetry.

The Harvard Law states: Under controlled conditions of light, temperature, humidity, and nutrition, the organism will do as it damn well pleases.

Over the long term, symbiosis is more useful than parasitism. More fun, too. Ask any mitochondria.

Hubris itself will not let you be an artist.

Real religion does not mean Gods - it does not mean Angels and Demons - it does not mean miracles of healing. Real religion is all about you and your fellow humans. There is nothing else.

I am the Captain of my own life.

All other goods by fortune's hand are given: A wife is the peculiar gift of Heav'n.

Although even when I am being idle I have plenty of food for thought both early and late - thoughts both about and not about art.

Even the weak become strong when they are united.

Feast of Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr, the man who will not act until he knows all will never act at all.

I was in prison and I was an atheist. I didn't believe in anything.

All that happens is as usual and familiar as the rose in spring and the crop in summer.

Would you like to hear a nice definition of jealousy? It's the feeling that you get when someone you absolutely detest is having a wonderful time without you.