78 Quotes by A. J. Jacobs

The Bible talks a lot about thankfulness, and I'm more thankful than I ever was. I try to concentrate on the hundreds of things that go right in a day, instead of the three or four that go wrong.

I know that you should always say yes to adventures or you'll lead a very dull life.

The year showed me beyond a doubt that everyone practices cafeteria religion... But the important lesson was this: there's nothing wrong with choosing. Cafeterias aren't bad per se... the key is in choosing the right dishes. You need to pick the nurturing ones (compassion), the healthy ones (love thy neighbor), not the bitter ones.

Paintings! They're like TV, but they don't move.

How do you gag the voice in your head that says, 'You don't have to [do it] today. There's always tomorrow.'?

I'm addicted to self-improvement. The thing is, there's so damn much about myself to improve.

I know that history is simultaneously a bloody mess and a collection of feats so inspiring and amazing they make you proud to share the same DNA structure with the rest of humanity. I know you'd better focus on the good stuff or you're screwed.

It's hard to be in a bad mood when you're walking around looking like you're about to play the semifinals at Wimbledon.

My immune system has always been overly welcoming of germs. It's far too polite, the biological equivalent of a southern hostess inviting y'all nice microbes to stay awhile and have some artichoke dip.