These days you're not just competing with the tedium, you're competing with the cellphone.

I believe that if the Tribune company ever tries to close down Wrigley Field that you will have a protest from every corner of the globe.

If practice makes perfect, and no one's perfect, then why practice?

The ideology of the Smashing Pumpkins was ultimately more valuable than the music of the Smashing Pumpkins. That's what critics can't put their finger on.

I never wanted to leave the Smashing Pumpkins. That was never the plan.

I think a spiritual journey is not so much a journey of discovery. It's a journey of recovery. It's a journey of uncovering your own inner nature. It's already there.

Great music completely obliterates any conceptions of genre.

I was part of a generation that changed the world - and it was taken over by poseurs.

Saturn Return is just the return of your planets to their original position.

Compliments and criticism are all ultimately based on some form of projection.

Where is this great love for rock and roll that existed for 50 or 60 years?

Part of my music is being alone, having that time to shut down all other noises to hear the tune underneath.

If something needs to be done, do it. If something needs to be said, say it.

When virtue has slept it will arise more vigorous.

Many families think of church as if it was a convention - they send one delegate.

Love for me is comfort. I feel most loved and most capable of giving love when I am around people or in places that make me comfortable.

Anne Lamott’s priest friend Tom, how to get through: "Left foot, right foot, left foot, breathe," he said. "Right foot, left foot, right foot, breathe." Salon April 25, 2003

A marriage is likely to be called happy if neither party ever expected to get much happiness out of it.

Just being from New York, that's something that you do - knowing how to dress.

I'm not a big drinker, but coffee is important to me.

Hands learn more than minds do, hands learn how to hold other hands.