The word 'funny' is a bit like the word 'love' - we don't have enough words to describe the many varieties.

I tend to foster drama via bleakness. If I want the reader to feel sympathy for a character, I cleave the character in half, on his birthday. And then it starts raining. And he's made of sugar.

What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness.

What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded . . . sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly.

Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial.

Developing our sympathetic compassion is not only possible but the only reason for us to be here on earth.

According to me, your life is going to be a gradual process of becoming kinder and more loving. Hurry up. Speed it along. Start right now.

It's a big world, and I really like it.

Character is that sum total of moments we can't explain.

The generalizing writer is like the passionate drunk, stumbling into your house mumbling: I know I'm not being clear, exactly, but don't you kind of feel what I'm feeling?

Kindness, it turns out, is hard - it starts out all rainbows and puppy dogs, and expands to include . . . well, EVERYTHING.

My eyes meet his and I understand exactly what he's saying. He's my person. He's my home.

One thing I learned in life, the only true friend you have in this world is your self.

I'm cool with the way I look, I'm not an ugly dog, but I don't see myself as a stud or anything.

Patience and tenacity are worth more than twice their weight of cleverness.

The less routine the more life.

But it kills me, this fascination with celebrities' personal lives.

Some of the best songs I've written, I've written in 10 minutes.

Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.

Only Christ can free us from the prison of legalism, and then only if we are willing to be freed.

Give me open hands and open doors.