I'm a failed poet. Maybe every novelist wants to write poetry first, finds he can't, and then tries the short story, which is the most demanding form after poetry. And, failing at that, only then does he take up novel writing.

The statesman， who should attempt to direct private people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals， would not only load himself with a most unnecessary attention but assume an authority which could safely be trusted， not only to no single person， but to no council or senate whatever， and which would nowhere be so dangerous as in the hands of a man who had folly and presumption enough to fancy himself fit to exercise it.

If you don’t get a miracle, you can still be a miracle for someone else.

"Mathematics is the science of patterns, and nature exploits just about every pattern that there is."