The power of the American system of republicanism lies in its capacity to allow religious belief to be a competing not a controlling factor in American life.

When it comes to controlling human beings there is no better instrument than lies. Because you see humans live by beliefs. And beliefs can be manipulated. The power to manipulate beliefs is the only thing that counts.

If those in charge of our society - politicians corporate executives and owners of press and television - can dominate our ideas they will be secure in their power. They will not need soldiers patrolling the streets. We will control ourselves.

When buying and selling are controlled by legislation the first things to be bought and sold are legislators.

To me it seems a dreadful indignity to have a soul controlled by geography.

In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men's nature is bad and that their tendencies were not being corrected and their lawlessness controlled.

I started writing morning pages just to keep my hand in you know just because I was a writer and I didn't know what else to do but write. And then one day as I was writing a character came sort of strolling in and I realized Oh my God I don't have to be just a screenwriter. I can write novels.

To avoid ignorance and bullying I've had to hide the fact that I'm a troll. You have no idea how much time and money I've spent on electrolysis and hair dye and reconstructive surgery so I can look like this.

I think that what went wrong with religion is the same thing that went wrong with politics. Is that it became too money based and too controlling. It's just a weakness that we human beings have for control - we want one thing and then we want more and then we want more.

But when women are moved and lend help when women who are by nature calm and controlled give encouragement and applause when virtuous and knowledgeable women grace the endeavor with their sweet love then it is invincible.