And our tears are an expression of that which we cannot express. Tears are perfect prayer.

It has been observed, [that for the federal government] to coerce the States is one of the maddest projects that was ever devised.

My mother's eyes were large and brown, like my son's, but unlike Sam's, they were always frantic, like a hummingbird who can't quite find the flower but keeps jabbing around.

Martyrdom, sir, is what these people like: it is the only way in which a man can become famous without ability.

The one cool thing with getting older is that you can actively choose to just be an eccentric.

Men without joy seem like corpses.

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal Name.

I don't like watching myself. I get embarrassed.

Great sci-fi has never shied from tackling the Big Questions, though really great sci-fi never forgets to entertain us along the way. Shock and awe applies to art, as well.

If I went to a psychiatrist, it would be a long session. I've always thought that I do have a number of issues that probably need dealing with, because I am quite odd in some ways.

On a scale from 1-10, my ambition is probably 11 or 12.