Religions are so subtle, so complicated, so intelligent in many ways that they're not fit to be abandoned to the religious alone; they're for all of us.

It's clear to me that there is no good reason for many philosophy books to sound as complicated as they do.

People who hold important positions in society are commonly labelled "somebodies," and their inverse "nobodies"-both of which are, of course, nonsensical descriptors, for we are all, by necessity, individuals with distinct identities and comparable claims on existence. Such words are nevertheless an apt vehicle for conveying the disparate treatment accorded to different groups. Those without status are all but invisible: they are treated brusquely by others, their complexities trampled upon and their singularities ignored.

Work finally begins when the fear of doing nothing exceeds the fear of doing it badly.

Everyone wants a better life: very few of us want to be better people.

Every time we feel satisfied with what we have, we can be counted as rich, however little we may actually possess.

One of love's greatest drawbacks is that, for a while at least, it is in danger of making us happy.