“Order and surprise: these are two intertwined elements that make for any great library or collection.”

“. . the humanities encourage the development of our own humanity. They are our instruments of self-exploration.”

“. . if you are given lined paper, write crosswise. At least occassionally.”

“we learn best by placing our 'confidence in men and women whose examples invite us to love what they love'(Robert Wilken).”

“Throughout history the exemplary teacher has never been just an instructor in a subject; he is nearly always its living advertisement.”

“Books, by their very nature and variety, help us grow in empathy for others, in tolerance and awareness. But they should increase our skepticism as well as our humanity, for all good readers know how easy it is to misread. What counts is to stay receptive and open, to reserve judgment and try to foresee consequences, to avoid the facile conclusion and be ready to change one's mind.”

“The patient accretion of knowledge, the focusing of all one's energies on some problem in history or science, the dogged pursuit of excellence of whatever kind -- these are right and proper ideals for life.”