It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others.

Everything is held together with stories. That is all that is holding us together, stories and compassion.

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he has found it whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.

There was a vague, unpleasant manginess about his appearence; he somehow seemed dirty, though a close glance showed him as carefully shaven as an actor, and clad in immaculate linen.

Angst: A form of suffering caused by too much thinking; a phenomenon probably considered incomprehensible by those who own a recreational vehicle.

Come, my friends.
‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset … Though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are,—
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

even samurai have teddy bears and even the teddy bears get drunk

I do not remember ever having seen a sustained argument by an author which, starting from philosophical premises likely to meet with general acceptance, reached the conclusion that a praiseworthy ordering of one’s life is to devote it to research in mathematics.

This is a test. You will have one lifetime to complete the test. You will be graded on neatness and style as well as content. Sharing or discussing answers with the person next to you is strongly encouraged. There will be no breaks. Hindus and Buddhists may be offered a re-test. Please pick up your pencils and wait for my signal to begin….

I no doubt deserved my enemies, but I don’t believe I deserved my friends.