A German joke is no laughing matter.
If you learn one thing from having lived through decades of changing views, it is that all predictions are necessarily false.
We are human, and nothing is more interesting to us than humanity.
Life without literature is a life reduced to penury.
We are human, and nothing is more interesting to us than humanity. The appeal of literature is that it is so thoroughly a human thing — by, for and about human beings. If you lose that focus, you obviate the source of the power and permanence of literature.
Life without literature is a life reduced to penury. It expands you in every way. It illuminates what you’re doing. It shows you possibilities you haven’t thought of. It enables you to live the lives of other people than yourself. It broadens you, it makes you more human. It makes life enjoyable.
When I was a graduate student, the leading spirits at Harvard were interested in the history of ideas.
A refined sort of butcher, a woman is.
There is only one line of sight that will bring order to all our life and work: a vision of Christ seated at the right hand of God the Father, ruling with all justice and mercy. Our influence only means something if it is plotted along that trajectory, and our work ultimately leads people to that same goal.
I will do whatever I can to defeat Hillary Clinton.
Those who own much have much to fear.