Nothing can be more contrary to religion and the clergy than reason and common sense.
From a certain point of view our real enemy, the true troublemaker, is inside.
The problems we face today, violent conflicts, destruction of nature, poverty, hunger and so on, are human-created problems which can be resolved through human effort, understanding and the development of a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. We need to cultivate a universal responsibility for one another and the planet we share.
We are driven by self-interest, it’s necessary to survive. But we need wise self-interest that is generous and co-operative, taking others’ interests into account. Co-operation comes from friendship, friendship comes from trust, and trust comes from kind-heartedness. Once you have a genuine sense of concern for others, there’s no room for cheating, bullying or exploitation.
The way to change others' minds is with affection, and not anger.
True friendship develops not as a result of money or power but on the basis of genuine human affection.
A simple smile. That's the start of opening your heart and being compassionate to others.
Our instinct as parents is to order our kids around — it's easier, and frankly, we're usually right. [But] reverse the waterfall as much as possible. Enlist the children in their own upbringing.
Inconveniently, books are all the pages in them, not just the ones you choose to read.
Insanity in individuals is something rare - but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.
When you shoot a movie, the camera is always taking, taking, taking and not giving anything back.