"We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom. The world henceforth will be run by synthesizers, people able to put together the right information at the right time, think critically about it, and make important choices wisely."

"By any reasonable measure of achievement, the faith of the Enlightenment thinkers in science was justified."

"Religious beliefs evolved by group-selection, tribe competing against tribe, and the illogic of religions is not a weakness but their essential strength."

"I thought perhaps it should be recognized that religious people, including fundamentalists, are quite intelligent, many of them are highly educated, and they should be treated with complete respect."

"Never give up on anybody."

"God sometimes does try to the uttermost those whom he wishes to bless."

"Fortitude is the quiet voice at eventide saying: I will try once more tomorrow. Remember this in moments of decisive trial — an essential principle for the reflective life."

"You know, I grew up on romantic comedies, and it's hard to find a new way to tell that story."