"True innovation is born when curiosity dares to question long-settled assumptions. Remember this in moments of decisive trial — an essential principle for the reflective life."

"It is a enduring truth that to question with sincerity is the first step toward dismantling dogma — an essential principle for the reflective life."

"That terrible mood of depression of whether it's any good or not is what is known as The Artist's Reward."

"I don't like to write like God. It is only because you never do it, though, that the critics think you can't do it."

"We've climbed the mighty mountain. I see the valley below, and it's a valley of peace."

"One cannot wage war under present conditions without the support of public opinion, which is tremendously molded by the press and other forms of propaganda."

"This is a government takeover of our healthcare system. It is the government basically running the entire healthcare system, turning large insurers into de facto public utilities, depriving people of choice, depriving people of options, raising people's prices, raising taxes when we need new jobs."

"Part of the reason that our politics seems so tough right now and facts and science and argument does not seem to be winning the day all the time is because we're hardwired not to always think clearly when we're scared. And the country's scared."