We have not passed that subtle line between childhood and adulthood until we move from the passive voice to the active voice-that is, until we have stopped saying "It got lost," and say, "I lost it."

A cynic is not merely one who reads bitter lessons from the past; he is one who is prematurely disappointed in the future.

All our efforts to attain immortality-by statesmanship, by conquest, by science or the arts-are equally vain in the long run, because the long run is longer than any of us can imagine.

A 'penchant for telling the truth' can cripple a candidates chances faster than being caught in flagrante delicto with the governor's wife.

Just about the only interruption we don't object to is applause.

Many a deep secret that cannot be pried out by curiosity can be drawn out by indifference.

Sincerity that thinks it is the sole possessor of the truth is a deadlier sin than hypocrisy, which knows better.

Time is love, above all else. It is the most precious commodity in the world and should be lavished on those we care most about.

"Terrorism" is what we call the violence of the weak, and we condemn it; "war" is what we call the violence of the strong, and we glorify it.

Once we assuage our conscience by calling something a 'necessary evil', it begins to look more and more necessary and less and less evil.