There is more going on beneath the surface than we think, and more going on in little, finite moments of time than we would guess.

The entire principle of a blind taste test was ridiculous. They shouldn't have cared so much that they were losing blind taste tests with old Coke, and we shouldn't at all be surprised that Pepsi's dominance in blind taste tests never translated to much in the real world. Why not? Because in the real world, no one ever drinks Coca-Cola blind.

Do you see the consequences of the way we have chosen to think about success? Because we so profoundly personalize success, we miss opportunities to lift others onto the top rung...We are too much in awe of those who succeed and far too dismissive of those who fail. And most of all, we become much too passive. We overlook just how large a role we all play—and by “we” I mean society—in determining who makes it and who doesn’t.

An aggressive drug-testing program would cut down on certain abuses, but its never going to catch everyone - or even close to everyone.

A book, I was taught long ago in English class, is a living and breathing document that grows richer with each new reading.

People who bring transformative change have courage, know how to re-frame the problem and have a sense of urgency.

Success is deeply rooted in time and place. You may have the drive to read tons of books on biology. But if there are no books on biology in your library, and the library is never open, your drive is meaningless.