My mother always taught us that if people don't agree with you, the important thing is to listen to them. But if you've listened to them carefully and you still think that you're right, then you must have the courage of your convictions.
I don't spend that much time being introspective, believe it or not. All I know is that I grew up not questioning God because that's how you are. God was there like the birds and the wind.
What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.
I had been told from school onwards that the best definition of a human being was man the tool-maker - yet I had just watched a chimp tool-maker in action. I remember that day as vividly as if it was yesterday.
I think the most important thing is to keep active and to hope that your mind stays active.
It was because the chimps are so eye-catching, so like us and teach us so much that my work was recognised worldwide.
