I perceive value, I confer value, I create value, I even create — or guarantee — existence. Hence, my compulsion to make “lists.” The things (Beethoven’s music, movies, business firms) won’t exist unless I signify my interest in them by at least noting down their names. Nothing exists unless I maintain it (by my interest, or my potential interest). This is an ultimate, mostly subliminal anxiety. Hence, I must remain always, both in principle + actively, interested in everything. Taking all of knowledge as my province.

Each generation has to reinvent spirituality.

A work of art, so far as it is a work of art, cannot - whatever the artist's personal intention - advocate anything at all.

Religion is probably, after sex, the second oldest resource which human beings have available to them for blowing their minds.

Cancer patients are lied to, not just because the disease is (or is thought to be) a death sentence, but because it is felt to be obscene - in the original meaning of that word: ill-omened, abominable, repugnant to the senses.

To the militant, identity is everything.

False values begin with the worship of things.