The origin of a modern party is anthropological: humans meet and share food to lower hostility between them and indicate friendship.

Celebrities used to be found in clusters, like oysters - and with much the same defensive mechanisms.

People sinking into self-pity and depression are dreary, but they can't get out of it by themselves. So every now and then, just sit there and listen, and listen, and listen. You're paying your membership dues in the human race.

I also found that for myself, since I've had no religious education, it was so interesting to see the different versions of heaven and what life on earth means.

And I really do believe that the most important thing is the way you live your life on earth. But I think it's enormously comforting to believe that you're going to see your loved ones.

Most of us have trouble juggling. The woman who says she doesn't is someone whom I admire but have never met.

Mr. President, Mrs. Obama. There is a photograph of you [hugging] that went viral, became the most shared photograph in the history of Twitter. How do you keep the fire going?