Science is a little bit more than a wonderful way of modelling and predicting; its a wonderful technical abstraction. I think science is a really wonderful technical abstraction.

The only thing binding individuals together is ideas. Ideas mutate and spread; they change their hosts as much as their hosts change them.

I try not to be surprised. Surprise is the public face of a mind that has been closed.

Thought, like any parasite, cannot exist without a compliant host.

A society that fears knowledge is a society that fears itself.

Human spirit is the ability to face the uncertainty of the future with curiosity and optimism.

Many scholars have complained of our tendency to see history only in conflicts, but I am not convinced they are right. It is in conflict that our values are exposed.

... from our vantage point it is now clear that the only thing the population had to fear was fear itself.

Which came first, the mind or the idea of the mind? Have you never wondered? They arrived together. The mind is an idea.

In the end, living is defined by dying.

Unable to attribute misfortune to chance, unable to accept their ultimate insignificance within the greater scheme, the people looked for monsters in their midst.

Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable.

Our body hears whatever is in our mindsand responds.

If you have not been served personally by caring hands in your own life, do not be bitter, but instead, ask yourself who you can now serve.

How many years went by unnoticed, unembraced?

We are not entitled to ALL of anything, not even ourselves... and rightfully so.

A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside.

I don't want to be too stiff, because then my hands won't be as quick.

Learn as though you would never be able to master it; hold it as though you would be in fear of losing it.

Never work for money or power, be honest, don't feel entitled to anything you don't sweat and struggle for, [and] always finish what you start.

My kids are always awake. It's they're taking shifts. 'Alright, I'll annoy 'em from midnight to . Who wants to ?'