Thus, that one can find no place to walk through the breadth of the earth is not because the earth is not tranquil but because the danger to every step of the traveler lies generally with words.

I once tried standing up on my toes to see far out in the distance, but I found that I could see much farther by climbing to a high place.

There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely petty men.

When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.

The Golden Compass' became a bad experience because the studio didn't have faith in the strength of the ideas of the novel, which is ironic because it's one of the greatest fantasy novels ever written, if not the greatest, and they took the religion out of it and tried to turn it into a popcorn movie.

I grew up with my grandmother because my parents were making careers and didn't have much time for me. She was a highly religious Serbian Orthodox, spending most of her time in church. It's a great mix, and I use all these elements in my work.

Prayer gives a man the opportunity of getting to know a gentleman he hardly ever meets. I do not mean his maker, but himself.

Soul is the central point of spiritual discipline.