The basic urge toward mysticism is never, in the unaltered man, clear enough to be recognized for what it is.

The Way of the Sufis cannot be understood by means of the intellect or by ordinary book learning.

It is the message, not the man, which is important to the Sufis.

The sufis believe that they can experience something more complete.

The function of a nutrient is to become transmuted, not to leave unaltered traces.

Fettered feet in the presence of friends is better than living in a garden with strangers.

Sufism, " according to the Sufi, "is an adventure in living, necessary adventure.

Religion, for instance, cannot be accepted or rejected out of hand, until the student knows exactly what religion means.

It is axiomatic that the attempt to become a Sufi through a desire for personal power as normally understood will not succeed.

Take the wheat, not the measure in which it is contained

among roses, be a rose, among thorns, be a thorn

Freedom is a choice, and we have to defend our choices.

Generally speaking, the key dimensions of corporate governance are strategy oversight, policy making, accountability, and monitoring.

I shall enter on no encomium upon Massachussets she needs none. There she is. Behold her and judge for yourselves.

Once or twice I've been described as a light comedian. I consider this the most accurate description of my abilities I've ever seen.

I do believe in the value of ideas—and that eventually they get a man somewhere.

I've been at Liverpool for eight years, and the time has come for us to start achieving.

If there are but few who interest thee, why shouldst thou be disappointed if but few find thee interesting?

I started with small-press publishers, who were willing to publish all sorts of forms. I didn't move to the larger presses until they knew what they were getting in for.

The window-lights, myriads and myriads,Bloom from the walls like climbing flowers.

I used to think that running an organization was equivalent to conducting a symphony orchestra. But I don't think that's quite it; it's more like jazz. There is more improvisation.