Don't wait until you know who you are to get started.

The only way to find your voice is to use it. It’s hardwired, built into you. Talk about the things you love. Your voice will follow.

It’s one of my theories that when people give you advice, they’re really just talking to themselves in the past.

Usually, when we talk about creativity, it's about self-expression, which is great, but for work to be art or design, there has to be someone on the other end. The audience makes the work come alive.

Be curious about the world in which you live. Look things up. Chase down every reference. Go deeper than anybody else--that's how you'll get ahead.

You can’t be content with mastery; you have to push yourself to become a student again.

You’re only going to be as good as the stuff you surround yourself with.

The thing is: It takes a lot of energy to be creative. You don't have that energy if you waste it on other stuff.

Don't worry about doing research. Just search.

You can't find your voice if you don't use it.

Today isn't just another day. Today I'll create something beautiful.

Success in politics is the art of the timely lie.

We get so worried about being pretty. Let’s be pretty kind. Pretty funny. Pretty smart. Pretty strong.

And that's how you go on. You lay laughter over the dark parts. The more dark parts, the more you have to laugh. With defiance, with abandon, with hysteria, any way you can.

True patriotism sometimes requires of men to act exactly contrary, at one period, to that which it does at another, and the motive which impels them the desire to do right is precisely the same.

Very few writers thank their mothers for keen editorial insight

Bottomless wonders spring from simple rules, which are repeated without end.

In urbanization, you think big because you are thinking decades ahead.

Facts are true whether or not you believe them.

First ask why, and decide whether something is worth doing. Only after that should you set about doing it as well as you can.

The minute I forget to balance reality with the fantasy, I'm going back to Virginia.