To regret religion is to regret Western civilization.

When every benefit received is a right, there is no place for good manners, let alone for gratitude.

A curious reversal in the locus of moral concern has taken place: people feel responsible for everything except for what they do.

Where a reputation for intolerance is more feared than a reputation for vice itself, all manner of evil may be expected to flourish.

Feeling good about yourself is not the same thing as doing good. Good policy is more important than good feelings.

If the history of the 20th Century proved anything, it proved that however bad things were, human ingenuity could usually find a way to make them worse.

Equality of Ugliness: If we can't all live in a beautiful place we must all live in an ugly place.

There is nothing that an intellectual less likes to change than his mind, or a politician his policy.

Do I grow cleverer with age, or does the world grow more stupid?

The aim of untold millions is to be free to do exactly as they choose and for someone else to pay when things go wrong.

It is only by having desire thwarted, and thereby learning to control it — in other words, by becoming civilized — that men become fully human.

Die Wahrheit hat keinen Erfolg.

Having a rather pessimistic outlook on life makes for the best philosophical discussions

It is very strange that the years teach us patience - that the shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting.

The more we get attached to any relationship, the more we lose the grip on our emotional freedom.

Here’s what you need to know most about leadership: Lead your own life first. The only thing in this world that will dependably happen from the top down is the digging of your grave.

I got a fantastic person to work me out and get me into really good shape.

Little moments can have a feeling and a texture that is very real.

Honest always sells. Always has, always will.

I am 82 years old. I imagine that I will keep on writing as long as anyone wants to keep reading.

I only know two pieces; one is 'Clair de Lune' and the other one isn't.