“There was constant talk about hewing things and ravaging things and splitting things asunder. Lots of big talk of things being mighty, and of things being riven, and of things being in thrall to other things, but very little attention given, as I now realise, to the laundry.”

“The other thing people don't realise about science which differentiates it from religion is that, the most exciting thing about being a scientist is not knowing and being wrong. Because that means there is a lot left to learn.”

“Here’s the thing about constant surveillance—the question you must ask yourself is not “Am I being overheard?” but “Is anybody paying attention to me?””

“There is a difference between a thing and talking about a thing.”

“Necessity resides in the way we talk about things, not in the things we talk about.”

“I don't talk things, sir. I talk the meaning of things.”

“I don't have a big thing about leaving my mark or being historic.”

“If you have not done things worthy of being written about, at least write things worthy of being read.”

“I don't see anything wrong with being alone, it feels great to me. People make a big thing about personal love. It doesn't have to be such a big thing. The same for living - people make a big thing about that too. But personal living and personal loving are the two things the Eastern-type wise men don't think about.”

“Being smart spoils a lot of things, doesn't it?”