Research challenges the materialistic understanding of death according to which biological death represents the final end of existence and of all conscious activity.

Inactivity is death.

If you have only one passion in life - football - and you pursue it to the exclusion of everything else it becomes very dangerous. When you stop doing this activity it is as though you are dying. The death of that activity is a death in itself.

It is remarkable that this people though unarmed dares attack an armed foe the infantry defy the cavalry and by their activity and courage generally prove victors.

And once you get instantaneous communication with everybody you have economic activity that's far more advanced far more liquid far more distributed than ever before.

Many people and governments share the mistaken belief that science with new ingenious devices and techniques can rescue us from the troubles we face without our having to mend our ways and change our patterns of activity. This is not so.

A rise in the level of saving can reduce aggregate activity temporarily but only a sustained high level of saving makes it possible to have the sustained high level of business investment that contributes to the long-run growth of output.

The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.

Many museums are drawing audiences with art that is ostensibly more entertaining than stuff that just sits and invites contemplation. Interactivity gizmos eating hanging out things that make noise - all are now the norm often edging out much else.

In science as in art and as I believe in every other sphere of human activity there may be wisdom in a multitude of counsellors but it is only in one or two of them.