Hong Kong is the bellwether. If the Chinese stick to their agreement to let Hong Kong go its own path, then China will also go that way. If they don't, that is a very bad sign. I'm optimistic.

A society that puts equality before freedom will get neither. A society that puts freedom before equality will get a high degree of both.

If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there'd be a shortage of sand.

Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself.

You cannot be sure that you are right unless you understand the arguments against your views better than your opponents do.

The essential notion of a capitalist society ... is voluntary cooperation, voluntary exchange. The essential notion of a socialist society is force.

I am favor of cutting taxes under any circumstances and for any excuse, for any reason, whenever it's possible.

The great advances of civilization, whether in architecture or painting, in science or literature, in industry or agriculture, have never come from centralized government.

Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.

You cannot simultaneously have free immigration and a welfare state.

The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem.

Stay off the bandwagon. More likely than not, your own way of getting there makes for a better journey.

'Nice' means nothing. Is it someone who doesn't swear and shout? I swear and shout. 'Nice' sounds ineffectual.

I don't use any fance quill pens or pads, because I can't read my own handwriting. I just use whatever computer is laying around, and start writing.

My hair is such a statement that it's like a neon sign asking for trouble.

No, in 1968 I still wanted to be a Pop Star, and be about the music. Now, I want to be just about the music.

As for the virtuous poor, one can pity them of course, but one cannot possibly admire them.

What matters is how I use what I know, every minute of every day; how I use it to remember, in the midst of the game.

Who is more real? Homer or Ulysses? Shakespeare or Hamlet? Burroughs or Tarzan?

And when this grand canvas, our life, is finished, may the world in some small or large way be a better place.

I've given up asking questions. l merely float on a tsunami of acceptance of anything life throws at me ... and marvel stupidly.