“Misconceptions play a prominent role in my view of the world.”

“The anti-resource curse initiative has stronger legs than most and that has made me very enthusiastic.”

“I commissioned two political experts to advise me about what I could do to oppose the re-election of President Bush.”

“Everybody says that I have a lot of power. But what does that power consist of?... Can I influence governments? I am beginning to be able to..." (1995)”

“My main concern is with the world order”

“The main obstacle to further progress on the resource curse is China, and to a lesser extent India.”

“The critic said, but don't you feel awkward about biting the hand that feeds you? I said no, I enjoy just gnawing it up to the shoulder.”

“I mean, public libraries like this one were always short of money, so building even the tiniest of labyrinths had to be beyond their means.”

“Power is not revealed by striking hard or often, but by striking true.”

“As time and space are bent by gravity, so too is truth bent by power.”

“What a curious power words have.”