The unvarnished truth is that we have spent the last decade funding the machinery of war, and our children have been sacrificed.

I think reading is part of the birthright of the human being

I fly my geek flag proudly. Absolutely.

As long as we are engaged in storytelling that moves the culture forward, it doesn't matter what format it is.

I'm enormously proud of the fact that Star Trek has really not just sparked an interest, but encouraged, a few generations of people to go into the sciences.

For me, literacy means freedom. For the individual and for society.

I get most of my news updates from electronic and social media.

In a society that functions optimally, those who can should naturally want to provide for those who can't. That's how it's designed to work. I truly believe we're here to take care of one another.

Maturity is a series of shattered illusions.

Libraries do one thing that no other institution does and that's provide access to all.

Reading a hard copy book, and reading a book on an iPad are slightly different experiences. What they both have in common though is that you must engage your imagination in the process.

Not only are you what you eat, but you also can be what's eating you. Don't become your problems or let them overtake you.

It is truer to say that martyrs create faith more than faith creates martyrs.

God is not an American. Nature did not design Americans to be prosperous forever.

You're human. You'll screw up. Denying that is crazy. Forgiving yourself has all the benefits of self-esteem without making you a narcissist that's out of touch with reality.

The script, I always believe, is the foundation of everything.

I'm not saying all seniors should be running a city or running a business, but I am saying seniors are good for a lot more than simply running a bath, baking cookies or babysitting grandchildren.

Books make great gifts because they're something you love that you can share.

The danger with playing someone tough is that the character can become two-dimensional and mean and nobody likes her.

Do you ever have the feeling you're a tourist on earth?

I recognized that teaching and research institutions vitally depend on the involvement of active scientists also in management functions.