I wouldn't say philosophy and theology are dead. Brain science doesn't invent new philosophies but it helps remind us which of our existing philosophies are more true.

America has an important role to play as the world leader in creating a global order, free trade, free waterways, free commerce, free movement of people. That happens because of U.S. military might.

The roots of great innovation are never just in the technology itself. They are always in the wider historical context. They require new ways of seeing. As Einstein put it, 'The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.'

I think as we interpret him and frankly as the world learns to interpret Donald Trump, are these just words that are enigmatic things floating on air or are they actually shifts in policy and will they change moment by moment, day by day without any underlying connection to the actual stuff of governance? I don't know.

If I had to fault President [Barack] Obama, I would say that sometimes governs like a visitor from a morally superior civilization.

Bragging about what a good deal you got is one of the many great art forms that my people, the Jews, have introduced to American culture.

A wise soul once declared that the ultimate power of the writer is that he has the choice of whom he wants to be co-opted by.