I learned that it is the weak who are cruel, and that gentleness is to be expected only from the strong.

Happiness, in the ancient, noble sense, means self-fulfillment—and is given to those who use to the fullest whatever talents God … bestowed upon them.

Hope is ambiguous, but fear is precious.

Machines certainly can solve problems, store information, correlate, and play games - but not with pleasure.

The only reason for being a professional writer is that you can't help it.

Where was it ever promised us that life on this earth can ever be easy, free from conflict and uncertainty, devoid of anguish and wonder and pain? Those who seek the folly of unrelieved 'happiness'-who fear moods, who shun solitude, who do not know the diginity of occasional depression-can find bliss easily enough: in tranquilizing pills, or in senility. The purpose of life is not to be happy.

First-rate people hire first-rate people; second-rate people hire third-rate people.