We always look for everything in the immediate proximity, that is a mistake.

Almost everybody we get together with about a matter, even if it is of the highest importance, is incompetent.

The whole process of life is a process of deterioration in which everything—and this is the most cruel law—continually gets worse.

There is nothing more dreadful than having to go walking on one’s own on Monday.

When we do something, we may not think about why we are doing what we are doing, says Oehler, for then it would suddenly be totally impossible for us to do anything.

Don’t overact the story of your name. Overact the story of your work.

What you read renew your mind.

I'm really focused on These Days and I'm trying to take it as far as I can - I feel like it's a strong body of work. I just want to give it the ame kind of attention I give all my projects.

When you've seen prejudice, you understand that we aren't finished, that we're still perfecting this American experiment.

I detest the endgame. A well-played game should be practically decided in the middlegame.

Other people do not have to change for us to experience peace of mind.

They ignore what is deep and true to a man's heart, his real passions, and simply try to shape him up through various forms of pressure.

It is not wise to find symbols in everything that one sees. It makes life too full of terrors.

The States still has the best audiences by far.

Life is a corrupting process from the time a child learns to play his mother off against his father in the politics of when to go to bed; he who fears corruption fears life.