When I used to teach creative writing, I would tell the students to make their characters want something right away even if it's only a glass of water.

There is a tragic flaw in our precious constitution, and I don't know what can be done to fix it. This is it: Only nut cases want to be president.

Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before.

Here is a lesson in creative writing. First rule: Do not use semicolons. They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you've been to college.

Being a Humanist means trying to behave decently without expectation of rewards or punishment after you are dead.

One of the few good things about modern times: If you die horribly on television, you will not have died in vain. You will have entertained us.

A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved.

Here we are, trapped in the amber of the moment. There is no why.

Music is, to me, proof of the existence of God. It is so extraordinarily full of magic, and in tough times of my life I can listen to music and it makes such a difference.

Another flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance.

We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.

The pine stays green in winter... wisdom in hardship.

Isn't it possible that self-esteem isn't causal at all, but simply the happy side effect of a sturdy character, itself the product of unambiguous moral education?

Like a beautiful flower that is colorful but has no fragrance, even well spoken words bear no fruit in one who does not put them into practice.

A public debt is a public curse.

A man must keep a little back shop where he can be himself without reserve. In solitude alone can he know true freedom.

The idea of reinvention has always seemed bizarre to me.

I believe when you’re stuck in one spot for too long it’s best to throw a grenade where you stand, and jump…and pray.

Poverty, discrimination, and ignorance restrict growth.

Happinessis a byproduct of function. Those who seek happiness for itself seek victory without war.

I wanted to say something about the universe. There's God, angels, plants... and horseshit.