Which natural gift would you most like to possess? The ability to master other languages (which would have hugely enhanced the scope of these answers). How would you like to die? Fully conscious, and either fighting or reciting (or fooling around). What do you most dislike about your appearance? The way in which it makes former admirers search for neutral words.

A good liar must have a good memory. Kissinger is a stupendous liar with a remarkable memory.

Your least favorite virtue, or nominee for the most overrated one? Faith. Closely followed—in view of the overall shortage of time—by patience.

I don't think consensus-building politics is what I'm meant to be doing.

Everything about Christianity is contained in the pathetic image of 'the flock.

In our time, the symbol of state intrusion into the private life is the mandatory urine test.

There are days when I miss my old convictions as if they were an amputated limb. But in general I feel better, and no less radical, and you will feel better too, I guarantee, once you leave hold of the doctrinaire and allow your chainless mind to do its own thinking.