Everything, even the most ordinary daily affair, is enriched by the lessons that can be gleaned from art.

Drawing used to be a civilized thing to do, like reading and writing. It was taught in elementary schools. It was democratic. It was a boon to happiness.

Art, not unlike raising children... may entail much sacrifice and periods of despair, but, with luck, the effort will produce something that outlives you.

The consolation of art comes in many forms... For some it is making, for others it is having.

Under ordinary circumstances, bad art naturally gets sorted out and disappears. That is how history works when it is left alone to do its job.

Out of routine comes inspiration. That's the idea, anyway. To grasp what's exceptional, you first have to know what's routine.

Art provides us with clues about how to live our own lives more fully... art becomes our entree to the sublime.

All writers, all storytellers, are imposing their own narrative on something.

We all dream of being successful. To be able to inspire a nation is unbelievable.

What is Kanye West's message? Like most rap, "I am the greatest person ever and you're not." I used to call it affirmative action for the ego.

What is jazz? It, It's almost like asking, What is French? Jazz is a musical language. It's a musical dialect that actually embodies the spirit of America.

I always wish to find great virtues where there are great talents, and to love what I admire.

Always forwards, never backwards.

Seducing ourselves, our own self-delusions, the things we think we want but we really don't. Advertising in America is when we are sold our own dreams and desires.

The only thing that anyone can diagnose, with any certainty, by looking at a fat person, is their own level of stereotype and prejudice toward fat people.

Oh dear me - it's too late to do anything but accept you and love you - but when you were quite a little boy, somebody ought to have said "hush" just once!

If you don't like what you're getting, then change what you're doing. It's up to you.

Beware of those who try to sell you simple answers to complex questions.