Delays, disappointments and defeats cause quitters to give up in resignation; losers, to give in the frustration; winners, to come through with determination.

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.

Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget. Do more than dream: work.

Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.

Study while others are sleeping; work while others are loafing; prepare while others are playing; and dream while others are wishing.

When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” —

Three enemies of personal peace: regret over yesterday’s mistakes, anxiety over tomorrow’s problems, and ingratitude for today’s blessings.

Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Love me and I may be forced to love you.

The devil can be a clown of prizes in moments like these. Moments of knowing you’ve ventured too far down the wrong path and all you can do is accept more prizes ...

I do not follow any tradition. I may stand at the beginning of one.

Beauty and death, so closely knit together. This seems to be the central theme of my life.

Do not wait for the tide to take you, my boy. Instead, you take on the tide

First you forget names then you forget faces then you forget to pull your zipper up then you forget to pull your zipper down.

Do you think Duke Ellington didn't listen to Debussy? Louis Armstrong loved opera, did you know that? Name me a jazz pianist who wasn't influenced by European music!

I was sitting one day and thinking about cannibalism, because that's what guys like me do... and I thought, suppose a guy was washed up on a rocky island, how much of himself could he eat?

Think of all the really successful men and women you know. Do you know a single one who didn't learn very young the trick of calling attention to himself in the right quarters?

Sometimes what happens is that, when you micromanage actors and moments, it just doesn't quite live.

Since there are no absolutes, when it's convenient, you change the rules. Do we know any politicians that have done that?