I owe everything that I have done to the fact that I am very much at ease being alone.

Because, once alone, it is impossible to believe that one could ever have been otherwise. Loneliness is an absolute discovery.

Rejoice with those who rejoice." I have found that difficult too often. I was much better at weeping with those who weep.

The mind has a complex life that can seem quite autonomous - dreams, obsessions, unwilled memory are all instances of this.

A little too much anger, too often or at the wrong time, can destroy more than you would ever imagine.

I would advise you against defensiveness on priciple. it precludes the best eventualities along with the worst. At the most basic level it expresses a lack of faith.

The attention of the congregation is a major part of the attention that the pastor gives to his or her utterance. It's very exceptional. I don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy a good sermon. People who are completely nonreligious know a good sermon when they hear one.