Bad improvisers block action, often with a high degree of skill. Good improvisers develop action.

The people who stand before kings may look like they did it all by themselves. But in fact they are invariably the beneficiaries of hidden advantages and extraordinary opportunities and cultural legacies that allow them to learn and work hard and make sense of the world in ways others cannot. It makes a difference where and when we grew up.

I'm totally engaging in cultural stereotyping, no question about it. But I think it's OK because I'm doing it for a reason, for a good reason.

A lot of what is most beautiful about the world arises from struggle.

Re-reading is much underrated. I've read The Spy Who Came in from the Cold once every five years since I was 15. I only started to understand it the third time.

Practice isn't the thing you do once you're good. It's the thing you do that makes you good.

Why are man hole covers around?" If you don't knwo the answer to the questions, you're not smart enough to work at microsoft