“There was no singles problem until singles got so single-minded that they stopped wasting time with anyone ineligible. Before that, it was understood that one of society's main tasks was matchmaking. People with lifelong friendships and ties to local nonprofessional organizations did not have to fear that isolation would accompany retirement, old age, or losing a spouse. Overburdened householders could count on the assistance not only of their own extended families, but of the American tradition of neighborliness.”

“We are born charming, fresh and spontaneous and must be civilized before we are fit to participate in society.”

“Many people mistakenly think a new technology cancels out an old one.”

“It's far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help.”

“Freedom without rules doesn't work. And communities do not work unless they are regulated by etiquette.”

“I am a traditionalist, and I'm an innovator. Most of what I do is to weigh change and legislate to the best of my ability on what should change and what should not. Do I have a respect for tradition? Of course I do. Do I have a blind belief in it? No.”

“The simple idea that everyone needs a reasonable amount of challenging work in his or her life and also a personal life complete with noncompetitive leisure has never really taken hold.”

“It is far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help.”

“When you're in love you put up with things that when you're out of love you cite.”

“A wedding invitation is sent by people who have been saying "Do we have to ask them?" to people whose first response is "How much do you think we have to spend on them?"”

“The invention of the teenager was a mistake. Once you identify a period of life in which people get to stay out late but don't have to pay taxes - naturally, no one wants to live any other way.”