When we think of war, the tendency is to picture young soldiers only in their military roles. To a large extent this dehumanizes the soldiers and makes it easier for society to commit them to combat.

Writers do not write what they know. They write what they can imagine.

Fifty percent of all meaningful education takes place in the home. What do you share with your child? You share your interests. I was a book person. I read with my son. My wife is an artist. She dragged his little butt around to museums. He's an illustrator of children's books.

Idiots don't know they're idiots, which is unfortunate.

We all think we're different, but when it comes around, we end up needing the same things. Somebody to love us. Somebody to respect us.

America believes what's good for us is good for the world. It's very difficult to understand that that's not necessarily true.

I think it's difficult for young people to acknowledge being smart, to knowledge being a reader. I see kids who are embarrassed to read books. They're embarrassed to have people see them doing it.