“Why do the powerful always insist on having a “back story” to justify whatever they do? Why can’t they—just once—do something for the simple reason that it is the right thing to do, in itself, for reasons understood and accepted by all? In politics, laws are passed to secretly serve hidden agendas, for without such agendas many lawmakers would never find the motivation to support anything at all.”

“Recognize and beware of the snare.”

“His problem is that he doesn’t want anyone until he can have anyone he wants.”

“There are four stages to a person’s career:In Stage 1 you are enthusiastic about your work, but inexperienced (start of your career).In Stage 2 you are both enthusiastic about your work and have gained experience (top of your career).In Stage 3 you’re tired of your work, but you are also still competent/experienced (maintenance stage).In Stage 4 you are sick of your work, and because you haven’t been motivated to keep up with your profession, you are now, once again, inexperienced relative to the state-of-the-art in your field (end of career).”

“Do first what you don’t want to do most.”

“Don’t ask a yes or no question unless the person being asked can say no without hesitation.”

“You are not a better or wiser person simply because you’ve ceased to care.”

“Observing stupidity in others is a sure sign of stupidity in the observer.”

“What is the meaning of life…to give life meaning.”

“Just because something is ubiquitous does not mean that it is innocuous.”

“Two examples of irony:...a cheap knock-off of a Chinese Ming vase…made in China....getting murdered in a graveyard.”