The universe is large and we are tiny, without the need for further religious superstructure. One can have so-called spiritual moments without belief in the spirit.

Unrequited love may be painful, but it is safely painful, because it does not involve inflicting damage on anyone but oneself, a private pain that is as bittersweet as it is self-induced. But as soon as love is reciprocated, one must be prepared to give up the passivity of simply being hurt and take on the responsibility of perpetrating hurt oneself.

You have to be quite heavily invested in someone to do them the honour of telling them you're annoyed with them.

Only as we mature does affection begin to depend on achievement.

Good sex isn't just fun, it keeps us sane and happy. Having sex with someone makes us feel wanted, alive and potent.

What we find exotic abroad may be what we hunger for in vain at home.

Getting to the top has an unfortunate tendency to persuade people that the system is OK after all.