“If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.”

“Though you pay for the hands they're shaking
The speeches and the mistakes they're making
As they struggle with the undertaking
Of simple thought What you want, you don't know
You're with stupid now
What you know, you don't want to know
You're with stupid now.”

“If thou wouldst make progress, be content to seem foolish and void of understanding with respect to outward things. Care not to be thought to know anything. If any should make account of thee, distrust thyself.”

“The inventor…looks upon the world and is not contented with things as they are. He wants to improve whatever he sees, he wants to benefit the world; he is haunted by an idea. The spirit of invention possesses him, seeking materialization.”

“I guess I was the most unbohemian of all bohemians. My bohemianism consisted of not wanting to get involved with the stupid stuff that I thought people wanted you to get involved with — … namely America…”

“Our real discoveries come from chaos, from going to the place that looks wrong and stupid and foolish.”

“If you're going to do something stupid—and we all do—it might as well be a brave and foolish thing.”

“Life is about balance. Be kind, but don’t let people abuse you. Trust, but don’t be deceived. Be content, but never stop improving yourself.”

“If you want to improve your understanding, drink coffee.”

“If you want to improve your soul, you should be ready to sacrifice it.”