“Self-mortification, far from producing liberation from material things, is far more likely to cause either an unhinged mind, delusions or a masochistic taste for more suffering, experienced, of course, as joy.”

“Materialism, attachment to things of the world, includes pride. Many religious people suffer from pride: taking pleasure or even delight in being good, or religious.”

“The more you look at 'common knowledge', the more you realise that it is more likely to be common than it is to be knowledge.No real knowledge is common.”

“One can give or withhold in a manner far more effective, sophisticated, useful, which is quite invisible to people who think that giving or withholding is done by external assessment. If you seek some mark of favour or 'promotion', know that you are not ready for it. Progress comes through capacity to learn, and is irresistible. Nobody can stand between you and knowledge if you are fit for it.”

“Few things are more absurd than wise saws originally designed to inculcate or maintain the social needs of a society long past - when they are applied to today.”

“The sufis believe that they can experience something more complete.”

“It is not 'Have I got a chance?' It is more often: 'Have I seen my chance?”