The face of Garbo is an Idea, that of Hepburn an Event.

The face of Garbo is an Idea, that of Hepburn an Event.

Studying literature at Harvard is like learning about women at the Mayo clinic.

Studying literature at Harvard is like learning about women at the Mayo clinic.

Nothing in the world is more haughty than a man of moderate capacity when once raised to power.

Nothing in the world is more haughty than a man of moderate capacity when once raised to power.

In terms of the game theory, we might say the universe is so constituted as to maximize play. The best read more

In terms of the game theory, we might say the universe is so constituted as to maximize play. The best games are not those in which all goes smoothly and steadily toward a certain conclusion, but those in which the outcome is always in doubt. Similarly, the geometry of life is designed to keep us at the point of maximum tension between certainty and uncertainty, order and chaos. Every important call is a close one. We survive and evolve by the skin of our teeth. We really wouldn't want it any other way.

I am responsible. Although I may not be able to prevent the worst from happening, I am responsible for my read more

I am responsible. Although I may not be able to prevent the worst from happening, I am responsible for my attitude toward the inevitable misfortunes that darken life. Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have – life itself.

I believe in grumbling; it is the politest form of fighting known.

I believe in grumbling; it is the politest form of fighting known.

The only pressure I'm under is the pressure I've put on myself.

The only pressure I'm under is the pressure I've put on myself.

Humans have the ability to shift perspective. We can experience the world through our senses. Or we can remove ourselves read more

Humans have the ability to shift perspective. We can experience the world through our senses. Or we can remove ourselves from our senses and experience the world even less directly. We can think about our life, rather than thinking in our life. We can think about what we think about our life, and we can think about what we think about that. We can shift perceptual positions many times over.

Smile when it hurts most.

Smile when it hurts most.