Our hubris needs to be downsized, thinking that profiteering on Earth, on whatever level - environmentally, economically, culturally - is unlimited and everybody should get as much as he wants or she...

My guilty fear is that what I'm doing, probably anyone could do. And that I just got a lot of lucky breaks.

I have been given the authority over you, and I am not the best of you. If I do well, help me; and if I do wrong, set me right. Sincere regard for truth.

We are so arrogant, we forget that we are not the reason for evolution, we are not the point of evolution. We are part of evolution. Unfortunately, we believe that we've been created to dominate the...

I honestly don't think I sought fame. It wasn't something I courted or wanted, particularly.

We had a good education, but we didn't walk away feeling better than anybody else.

I find it more consoling to think of myself as little than to think of myself as big. I think I've gotten that from animals, particularly dogs. Dogs live such a modest life, and they don't live long,...

I am not a fancy cook or an ambitious cook. I am a plain old cook.

I don't take care of my voice at all, which is one reason that I sound as bad as I do.

Even in my most solipsistic moments, I don't regard my literary debut as a matter of global interest.

It is great folly to wish to be wise all alone.

I cannot consent that my mortal body shall be laid in a repository prepared for an Emperor or a King my republican feelings and principles forbid it the simplicity of our system of government forbids...

I have no ambition to govern men; it is a painful and thankless office.

Stubborn and ardent clinging to one's opinion is the best proof of stupidity.

It's a powerful experience, shitting. There's something magical about it, profound even. I think God made humans shit in the way we do because it brings us back down to earth and gives us humility. I...

Men never think their fortunes too great nor their wit too little.

For we know not what we should pray for.

Parenthood remains the greatest single preserve of the amateur.

Sure I'm for helping the elderly. I'm going to be old myself someday.

All ignorance toboggans into knowledge and trudges up to ignorance again.

It is not my ability but my response to God's ability that counts.

Many of the insights of the saint stem from his experience as a sinner.

An error gracefully acknowledged is a victory won.

He who least likes courting favour, ought also least to think of resenting neglect; to feel wounded at being refused a distinction can only arise from an overweening appetite to have it.

Not only are the poorest people the most generous, but they don't expect anything in return, least of all recognition from others by means of showing off or posting a humble brag like so many from...

Don't mind her. She keeps her nose so high in the air, she's liable to drown in a good rainstorm.

I guess it's because we all want to believe that what we do is very important, that people hang on to our very word, that they care what we think. The truth is, you should consider yourself lucky if...

There is always someone better off than you, and there is always someone worse off than you.

You are not a handgun. More like a pellet gun. Maybe even a slingshot.

I'm glad I'm not good compared to God, because if I was, He wouldn't be much of a god.