I would like to be a polyglot.

A handkerchief can never be put in another pocket after it has been in one pocket. I don't walk under ladders. I have items of clothing that are lucky for me. That rotates, but I am luck-oriented.

Clearly, there has been a lack of imagination about how much can go wrong.

If you're someone people count on, particularly in difficult moments, that's a sign of a life lived honorably.

I have a file of letters and bits of ephemera from friends who have died. I have had lots of friends who died of AIDS.

Here’s the thing about rights. They’re not actually supposed to be voted on. That’s why they’re called rights.

I'm undoubtedly a liberal, which means that I'm in almost total agreement with the Eisenhower-era Republican party platform.

Hopefully life is long. Do stuff you will enjoy thinking about and telling stories about for many years to come. Do stuff you will want to brag about.

I really believe in trying to increase the amount of useful information in the world and in being accurate in the sense that you can take what I say to the bank, even if you disagree with me.

Bernie Sanders are the only person who talks about the kinds of things that might be driving people to support Donald Trump in such large numbers in the Republican Party.

Activism is setting a goal of something you would like to be different, and figuring out what would have to change to achieve that goal. It's sort of like math.

If I am destined to be happy with you here—how short is the longest Life—I wish to believe in immortality—I wish to live with you for ever.

Music that gentlier on the spirit lies, Than tired eyelids upon tired eyes.

No matter how challenging things get, never stop believing in yourself. Self-doubt is nothing but a highway to failure.

A straight face is an ignorant man’s attempt to appear knowledgeable.

There's something to be said for writing in the morning. At other points in the day, you're a bit more defensive.

the separation of church and state grew out of a desire, not so much to protect government from religion, but to protect religion from government.

Painting is the chance to create a different space, or different way of picturing a literal stream of images.

It is a presumption on the part of man when he demands in words an explanation of God.

Advice to persons about to marry - don't

That same preface also contains a single line that really does sum everything up: 'Some other places were not so good but maybe we were not so good when we were in them.'