What's the point of being alive," she said, "if you're not going to communicate?

Because we grew up surrounded by big dramatic story arcs in books and movies, we think our lives are supposed to be filled with huge ups and downs. So people pretend there is drama where there is none.

I urge you to please notice when you are happy.

There was no immunity to cuckoo ideas on Earth.

The canary bird in the coal mine theory of the arts: artists should be treasured as alarm systems.

What antidote can there be for an idea that popular and poisonous? Revenge provides revenge, which is sure to provide revenge, forming an endless chain of human misery. Here's the antidote: Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Amen.

Maybe they invited me because they know I have a tuxedo