"But I feel music has a very important role in ritual activity, and that being able to join in musical activity, along with dancing, could have been necessary at a very early stage of human culture."

"I had in mind a message, although I hope it doesn't intrude too badly, persuading Americans, and especially Southerners, of the critical importance of land and our vanishing natural environment and wildlife."

"I see no way out of the problems that organized religion and tribalism create other than humans just becoming more honest and fully aware of themselves."

"People respect nonfiction but they read novels."

"Wisdom principle 17 tells us that the journey of life is lesson 11."

"A life well-lived is a testament that the essence of humanity is our ability to connect."

"Where compassion abides, fear and resentment lose their dominion. Let this simple maxim guide your daily deeds — an essential principle for the reflective life."

"It is a radiant truth that vision without execution is fantasy; execution without vision is chaos — an essential principle for the reflective life."