In economic life and history more generally, just about everything of consequence comes from black swans; ordinary events have paltry effects in the long term.

Aesthetics, ethics, and many good things in humans are contagious.

We should probably stop trading derivatives, anything more complex than regular options ... I am an options trader, and I don't understand options. How do you want a regulator to understand them?

The imagination of the genius vastly surpasses his intellect; the intellect of the academic vastly surpasses his imagination

It has been more profitable for us to bind together in the wrong direction than to be alone in the right one.

Scientists don't know what they are talking about when they talk about religion. Religion has nothing to do with belief, and I don't believe it has any negative impact on people's lives outside of intolerance. Why do I go to church? It's like asking, why did you marry that woman? You make up reasons, but it's probably just smell. I love the smell of candles. It's an aesthetic thing.

The traits I respect are erudition and the courage to stand up when half-men are afraid for their reputation. Any idiot can be intelligent.