The key question to keep asking is, Are you spending your time on the right things? Because time is all you have.

Are you a Tigger or an Eeyore?

I understand the arguments about how the billions of dollars spent to put men on the moon could have been used to fight poverty and hunger on Earth. But, look, I'm a scientist who sees inspiration as the ultimate tool for doing good. When you use money to fight poverty, it can be of great value, but too often, you're working at the margins. When you're putting people on the moon, you're inspiring all of us to achieve the maximum of human potential, which is how our greatest problems will eventually be solved. Give yourself permission to dream.

If you want something bad enough, never give up (and take a boost when offered).

I didn't know there was a dying-professor section at the bookstore.

Complaining does not work as a strategy.

Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals. You’ve got to get the fundamentals down because otherwise the fancy stuff isn’t going to work.