While there I began to study the Asian religions as theories of mind.

One of the leading theories of why electroconvulsive therapy is effective for most severe depressions is that it causes a loss of short-term memory - patients feel better because they can't remember why they were sad.

For better or worse, intelligence can come to nothing when emotions hold sway.

The more socially intelligent you are, the happier and more robust and more enjoyable your relationships will be.

Women, on average, tend to be more aware of their emotions, show more empathy, and are more adept interpersonally. Men on the other hand, are more self-confident and optimistic, adapt more easily, and handle stress better.

A prerequisite to empathy is simply paying attention to the person in pain.

It is difficult to spread the contagion of excitement without having a sense of purpose and direction.