“Spend 80 percent of your time on books and 20 percent on articles and newspapers. And by books, I don’t mean just any book. I mean hardcovers. A paperback is made to be read. A hardcover is made to be studied. There’s a huge difference.”

“The paperback is very interesting but I find it will never replace the hardcover book -- it makes a very poor doorstop.”

“I live to create value in peoples' lives and I measure myself by their reactions. I'm a love merchant. I trade in intangibles.”

“Time and money spent in helping men to do more for themselves is far better than mere giving.”

“What are you not doing today that you were doing when I first met you?”

“If you read one book you are a clone. If you read two books you are confused. If you read ten books you have your own voice. And if you read one hundred books you are wise. (paraphrase)”

“I know they're not actually talking but the books on my desk seem to whisper "Drop what you're doing! Set aside your poetry! Open us, read us! Read slowly while you're at it. Always read us - every day - before you play.”