“By citing the UN Charter I indicate that the defensive party to the conflict should use only proportionate force.”

In this world everything changes except good deeds and bad deeds; these follow you as the shadow follows the body.

Religion must affirm, in the clearest terms, that morality and ethical values are not mere decorative frills of personal opinion, not subjective superstructure, but intrinsic laws of the cosmos built into the heart of reality.

Try to avoid civilian casualties, and end combat operations as soon as possible. These are provisions recognized by almost all authorities on international jurisprudence.

Poetry feels like a country I visit without a passport, where I look around furtively, grab hold of something precious, and try to smuggle it back across the border. Any poem I get written down feels like contraband to me.

The state dinner is almost a formula, but you try to make it interesting. You try not to overload it with too many political types. You try to get a cross section.

I think that art is still a site for resistance and for the telling of various stories, for validating certain subjectivities we normally overlook. I’m trying to be affective, to suggest changes, and to resist what I feel are the tyrannies of social life on a certain level.

I originally set out to try and save the world, but now I’m not sure I like it enough.

My love is bigger than a Cadillac, I try to show you, but you drive me back.

You always face a bunch of hands trying to stop you from working.

There’s always one more way to do things and that’s your way, and you have a right to try it at least once.

Seriously, I’ve just realized that almost everyone is a fraud, so I try not to feel too bad about it.