The atoms become like a moth, seeking out the region of higher laser intensity.

At Rochester, I came with the same emotions as many of the entering freshman: everything was new, exciting and a bit overwhelming, but at least nobody had heard of my brothers and cousins.

Education in my family was not merely emphasized, it was our raison d'etre.

Somehow we have to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe.

As the saying goes, the Stone Age did not end because we ran out of stones; we transitioned to better solutions. The same opportunity lies before us with energy efficiency and clean energy.

So imagine a world 6 degrees warmer. It's not going to recognize geographical boundaries. It's not going to recognize anything. So agriculture regions today will be wiped out.

I approached the bulk of my schoolwork as a chore rather than an intellectual adventure.

Geometry was the first exciting course I remember.

I'm the least-educated person in my immediate family. My two other brothers have multiple advanced degrees, and I only have one. [...] Actually, now that I've got a Nobel Prize, I feel equal.

Sustainable energy is the equivalent of the U.S. moon shot.

If other countries don't impose a cost on carbon, then we will be at a disadvantage...we would look at considering perhaps duties that would offset that cost.

Just get it right, “it is not too late to dream”. You can do it now! This very moment, I mean right now! Let’s begin!

Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

Snobbery, being an aspiring failing, is sometimes the prophecy of better things.

Love is a grin, a look in the eye whispering what are we doing, appearing in silly arguments had for the sake of them.

Dancing is a very crude attempt to get into the rhythm of life.

at a certain moment in social proceedings, I am on FIRE to leave: I have a leaving-FIT.

One should go easy on smashing other people's lies. Better to concentrate on one's own.

During the early 1960s, I decided to supplement research support for quantitative economic studies at Pennsylvania by selling econometric forecasts to private and public sector buyers.

And this was why falling for the butterflies was never a good idea. I didn't feel all bubbly and excited now. I felt cold and broken and empty.

Those giants of old, the ancient Rishis, who never walked but strode, of whom if you were to think but for a moment you would shrivel up into a moth, they sir, had time-and you have no time!