Educated, eyes-open optimism pays; pessimism can only offer the empty consolation of being right.

If we learn anything from the history of economic development, it is that culture makes all the difference.

Scepticism and refusal of authority is at the heart of scientific endeavour. Scientific knowledge dictates economic possibilities

If the gains from trade in commodities are substantial, they are small compared to trade in ideas

It is the process of evolution which identifies innovative benefits from any source and selects them on merit without prejudice

I don’t know what it means to live.

Language is the amber in which a thousand precious and subtle thoughts have been safely embedded and preserved.

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.

Balk the enemy's power force him to reveal himself.

One day I'm going to write a book about osprey. It has really gotten deep into my bloodstream. So when you ask what else I do, I feel like this is part of what I do....is to watch these birds.

When evening quickens in the street, comes a pause in the day's occupation that is known as the cocktail hour.

I like the idea of it as a trickster motif. You know like you're kind of just messing around with people's memories of songs.

I understand that smoking is vaguely inappropriate in certain situations. You know, like an orphanage, cancer ward, whatever.

Fear is the reason for making art. It is a means to freedom.

I shall omit former particulars, and begin with informing the Reader, that, in 1792, I was strangely visited, by day and night, concerning what was coming upon the whole earth.