People don't need to find reasons to justify their not giving. What they need to find is the inspiration to give. And those who don't, but could afford to, are missing out on one of wealth's greatest luxuries.

The best thing I have are 5 percent bonds from 1780, denominated from $1 to $20. As far as I can tell, they are obligations from the United States of America, so I should be able to walk down to the Federal Reserve and redeem the uncanceled ones. With 217 years of accrued interest, for a $20 bond, that's about $800,000.

Still, most people don't have much money. So finding ways to come out a couple of thousand dollars ahead every year still matters.

It's very nice to be able to be who you are.

Now listen. You can't fool all the people all the time-- but I want you to try.

The life insurance industry is filled with good people who believe in their work and their companies, but who may never have challenged the assumptions underlying their efforts.

There are only two things as complicated as insurance accounting and I have no idea what they are.