In poor countries, officials receive explicit bribes; in D.C. they get the sophisticated, implicit, unspoken promise to work for large corporations

Information is bad for knowledge.

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.

Globalization has created this interlocking fragility. At no time in the history of the universe has the cancellation of a Christmas order in New York meant layoffs in China.

I lift heavy weights and sprint, but I am so bad at it that I develop severe injuries.

Comfort makes you weaker. We need some variability, some stressors. Not too much, but just enough.

Never think that lack of variability is stability. Don't confuse lack of volatility with stability, ever.