Born on July 4 — Quotes

All stages of sexual perception are varieties of identification of a person with his body. What is perceived is one's own or another's subjection to or immersion in his body. … In sexual desire and its expression the blending of involuntary response with deliberate control is extremely important. … In sexual desire the involuntary responses are combined with submission to spontaneous impulses: not only one's pulse and secretions but one's actions are taken over by the body; ideally, deliberate control is needed only to guide the expression of those impulses. … But the most characteristic feature of a specifically sexual immersion in the body is its ability to fit into the complex of mutual perception. … [S]exual desire leads to spontaneous interactions with other persons, whose bodies are asserting their sovereignty in the same way, producing involuntary reactions and spontaneous impulses in them. These reactions are perceived, and the perception of them is perceived, and that perception is in turn perceived; at each step the domination of the person by his body is reinforced, and the sexual partner becomes more possessible by physical contact, penetration [for the male], and envelopment [for the female].

Being a mother changes your life.

Minorities have been asserting their rights but bureaucrats and education officials have tried to downplay them. I wish all the best to all our educationists that they might turn the High Court order into a reality.

is a path to enlightenment through compassion for all beings. Jivamukti is a Sanskrit word that means to live liberated in joyful, musical harmony with the Earth. The Earth does not belong to us—we belong to the Earth. Let us celebrate our connection to life by not enslaving animals and exploiting the Earth, and attain freedom and happiness for ourselves in the process. For surely, the best way to uplift our own lives is to do all we can to uplift the lives of others. Go vegan!

I remember thinking of mathematics as a kind of omnipotent protector. You could prove things to people and they would have to believe you whether they liked you or not.

I have to wonder how much obvious messages like ‘justice prevails’ would affect our lives, which leads me to make films that ask questions.

Power changes hands. Be respectful and kind to everyone, you never know whose help you might need.

Refrain from things that will ruin your career.

When I used to write novels, I always wrote for one person, for this person who thought and felt the same way as I do. It almost felt like I was writing a love letter to this very specific person who would understand what I’m writing and share the same feelings and thoughts.

I’ve never made films that delivers messages, nor have I ever felt the urge to make such pieces. I just like to ask questions.

New York City made me dream big, but Nigeria has given me a chance to actualise those dreams.

It’s always healthy to recognize facts.

If we tried to rely entirely on reason, and pressed it hard, our lives and beliefs would collapse — a form of madness that may actually occur if the inertial force of taking the world and life for granted is somehow lost. If we lose our grip on that, reason will not give it back to us.

To follow foolish precedents, and wink with both eyes, is easier than to think.

People are the scarce resource. It's not buildings, it's not printing presses, and it's not factories that are the scarce resource.