Read at least one book a month. This is self-serving, obviously. It's a proven fact that people who read buy more books than people who don't read. In truth, I wish you'd read ten books a month, or at least buy that many.

it make no sense to talk about rights without also talking about responsibilities

One thing that makes it possible to be an optimist is if you have a contingency plan for when all hell breaks loose.

The most difficult part of writing a book is not devising a plot which will captivate the reader. It's not developing characters the reader will have strong feelings for or against. It is not finding a setting which will take the reader to a place he or she as never been. It is not the research, whether in fiction or non-fiction. The most difficult task facing a writer is to find the voice in which to tell the story.

A lot of people want a shortcut. I find the best shortcut is the long way, which is basically two words: work hard.

Find the best in everybody. Wait long enough, and people will surprise and impress you. It might even take years, but people will show you their good side. Just keep waiting.

Advice is very easy to give, and even easier not to follow, so I don't fool with it.