Death is always there, just beneath the surface.

Pain narrows consciousness; pleasure blurs it.

When Medusa looks in the mirror, she sees the Lady of Sorrows.

My passions have never jumped out of the fireplace and set fire to the carpet.

Retirement requires the invention of a new hedonism, not a return to the hedonism of youth

The sewing machine joins what the scissors have cut asunder, plus whatever else comes in its path.

Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story.

The laughter of the aphorism is sometimes triumphant, but seldom carefree.

'Be faithful to your roots' is the liberal version of 'Stay in your ghetto.'

Every day begins with an act of courage and hope: getting out of bed.

Totem poles and wooden masks no longer suggest tribal villages but fashionable drawing rooms in New York and Paris.

Every second and minute that you are not sleeping should be converted, investing your life and your time into doing that thing that you were born to do.

To be scorned in the public because of your race is to let you know the degree of darkness in that particular society

My dull brain was wrought with things forgotten.

Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius.

We've got to have a dream if we are going to make a dream come true.

My designs and labors and aspirations are my only friends.

Nobody is too important to lead the initiative you say is important.

Man loves liberty, even if he does not know that he loves it. He is driven by it and flees from where it does not exist.

What one person sees as degrading and disgusting and bad for women might make some women feel empowered and beautiful and strong.

The extraordinary business does not require good management.