“Moving forward in time, it is important that we learn to distinguish between mysteries and secrets. Mysteries precede humankind, envelop us and draw us forward into exploration and wonder. Secrets are the work of humankind, a covert and often insidious way to gather, withhold or impose power. Do not confuse the pursuit of one with the manipulation of the other.”

“Dude, you're scaring the crap out of me,' said Nick. 'I'm serious, I literally have no crap right now.”

“There is a design behind the world that we are living in, which is veiled to most of us most of the time, but every once in a while, you catch a glimpse of it.”

“True violence, not the kind you usually see in television or movies, touches something very deep and primal in people.”

“Dear Internet: You are very good at spreading rumors. Truth is more valuable and much harder to come by.”

“The architecture for 'Paladin' - given that it's at least three books, with the possibility of more - turned out to be bigger than anything I've ever created, with multiple levels of reality, interlocking mysteries and a terabyte of time frame.”

“Wooden was the coach for the UCLA Bruins, arguably the greatest sports coach we ever had.”

“One of the things that's unique about Louisiana politics is that people here have a much more realistic attitude about who their politicians are. They know they are human and not saints or Mormons or Eagle Scouts.”

“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body. But rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming .... WoW, what a ride.”

“Don't make another's pain the source of your own happiness.”

“If man could apply half the ingenuity he’s exhibited in the creation of weapons to more sensible ends, there’s no limit to what he might yet accomplish”