One cannot find peace in work or in pleasure, in the world or in a convent, but only in one's soul.

Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it.

We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It is a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person.

To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.

It's a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.

If a nation values anything more than freedom, it will lose its freedom; and the irony of it is that if it is comfort or money that it values more, it will lose that too.

The secret to life is meaningless unless you discover it yourself.

The only important thing in a book is the meaning that it has for you.

It is dangerous to let the public behind the scenes. They are easily disillusioned and then they are angry with you, for it was the illusion they loved.

The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistic and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind.

Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more powerful in the mature than in the young.

The space where I write is in my head, I suppose.

Muslim leaders should ask themselves what exactly their relationship is to a political movement that encourages young men to kill and maim on religious grounds.

Desire is the very essence of man

I really don't care what people think of me.

My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talking.

The way you think either stands in your way or assists you in achieving your goals.

I have teenage boys and I think teenage boys require a father to have eyeballs on them at all times.

It was when I found out I could make mistakes that I knew I was on to something.

There is no muse of philosophy, nor is there one of translation.