I remember that mathematicians were telling me in the 1960s that they would recognize computer science as a mature discipline when it had 1,000 deep algorithms. I think we've probably reached 500.

Programming is the art of telling another human being what one wants the computer to do.

Random numbers should not be generated with a method chosen at random

Computers are good at following instructions, but not at reading your mind.

People who are more than casually interested in computers should have at least some idea of what the underlying hardware is like. Otherwise the programs they write will be pretty weird.

Science is what we understand well enough to explain to a computer. Art is everything else we do.

Everyday life is like programming, I guess. If you love something you can put beauty into it.

Programs are meant to be read by humans and only incidentally for computers to execute.

We should forget about small efficiencies, say about 97% of the time: premature optimization is the root of all evil.

People think that computer science is the art of geniuses but the actual reality is the opposite, just many people doing things that build on each other, like a wall of mini stones.

The whole thing that makes a mathematician’s life worthwhile is that he gets the grudging admiration of three or four colleagues.

Is our life not exciting enough? Or do the lot of you just have some kind of death wish?

In the corporate world, what is not showcased well simply doesn't exist for any practical purpose!

Until we call attention to the moments of our lives, we miss our lives.

A complete revaluation takes place in your physical and mental being when you've laughed and had some fun.

Working with Marilyn Monroe on The Misfits (1961) nearly gave me a heart attack. I have never been happier when a film ended.

The ritual was very important to me: cleaning the pot, rolling the pot.

All punishment is mischief; all punishment in itself is evil.

I don't buy into the idea that you're not supposed to rock & roll after a certain date. Maybe I should be in Bellevue, but I'm just having a good time.

The bias against introversion leads to a colossal waste of talent, energy, and happiness.

I don't agree with the libertarians. I want my security first. I'll deal with all the details after that.