“Turning up our light in the presence of those whose light is dim becomes the difference that makes the difference.”

“Every choice moves us closer to or farther away from something. Where are your choices taking your life? What do your behaviors demonstrate that you are saying yes or no to in life? ”

“It [Bach's cello suites] is like a great diamond," said [Mischa] Maisky in a thick Russian accent, "with so many different cuts that reflect light in so many different ways.”

“The writer's gift can make us see ourselves and our morals differently than our reality suggests.”

“The artist is not a different kind of person, but every person is a different kind of artist.”

“How frighteningly few are the persons whose death would spoil our appetite and make the world seem empty.”

“Life doesn't make any sense, and we all pretend it does. Comedy's job is to point out that it doesn't make sense, and that it doesn't make much difference anyway.”