Not so long ago people believed in ideologies, systems, and institutions to save all societies. Today, they have given up such hopes and have returned to relying on the individual, on individual freedom, individual initiative, individual creativity.

There is no denying that consideration of others is worthwhile and that our happiness is inextricably bound up with the happiness of others. There is no denying that if society suffers, we ourselves suffer, and the more our hearts and minds are afflicted with ill-will, the more miserable we become. We can reject religion, ideology, received wisdom, but we cannot escape the need for love and compassion.

If the mind is dominated by hatred, the best part of the brain, which is used to judge right and wrong, does not function properly.

There is nothing I can't live without. I learned this attitude when I was a child.

If scientific analysis were conclusively to demonstrate certain claims in Buddhism to be false, then we must accept the findings of science and abandon those claims.

If we don't understand phenomena, we are more likely to do things to harm ourselves and others.

Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.