Thinking based on who deserves what blocks compassionate communication.

Every criticism, judgment, diagnosis, and expression of anger is the tragic expression of an unmet need.

Your presence is the most precious gift you can give to another human being.

All violence is the result of people tricking themselves into believing that their pain derives from other people and that consequently those people deserve to be punished.

We are never angry because of what others say or do. It is our thinking that makes us angry.

Instead of playing the game "Making Life Wonderful", we often play the game called "Who's Right". Do you know that game? It's a game where everybody loses.

Empathy is a respectful understanding of what others are experiencing.

People have been trained to criticize, insult, and otherwise communicate in ways that create distance among people.

You don't have to be brilliant. It's enough to become progressively less stupid.

Most of us grew up speaking a language that encourages us to label, compare, demand, and pronounce judgments rather than to be aware of what we are feeling and needing.

The most dangerous of all behaviors may consist of doing things 'because we're supposed to.

Usually my form of turning someone down was shoving a stake through his heart while smirking, Gotcha!

the process through which any concept or subject (content) is taught becomes a part of the content. (p19)

The degree of your desire determines your dedication.

There isn't anything in your life that cannot be changed.

Lillian Gish thought that there should be a cabinet position for the arts and I think she was right. I think she was right.

If you don't have a vision you're going to be stuck in what you know. And the only thing you know is what you've already seen.

The more credible you are, the more confidence people place in you, thereby allowing you the privilege of influencing their lives.

I'm not a pitiable creature. It's just that I suffer very eloquently.

My idea of a good work-out is two hours spent worrying about the bags under my eyes.

Unless a life is lived for others, it is not worthwhile.