For she was of that generation who, having found nothing in religion, had formed themselves through literature.

We use our parents like recurring dreams, to be entered into when needed.

A simple grateful thought turned heavenwards is the most perfect prayer.

Whatever you're meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible.

If a fish is the movement of water embodied, given shape, then cat is a diagram and pattern of subtle air.

Every child has the capacity to be everything.

Any human anywhere will blossom in a hundred unexpected talents and capacities simply by being given the opportunity to do so.

What's terrible is to pretend that second-rate is first-rate. To pretend that you don't need love when you do; or you like your work when you know quite well you're capable of better.

Things are not quite so simple always as black and white.

You have to be grown up, really grown up, not merely in years, to understand your parents.

There is nothing more boring for an intelligent woman than to spend endless amounts of time with small children.

I didn't look back. Sometimes, not looking back is the only mercy the world has left to show.

Do you know that my very first experience as a composer was a 'Concerto for Accordion?

I can't read historical fiction because I find the real thing so much more interesting.

Polio's pretty special because once you get an eradication, you no longer have to spend money on it; it's just there as a gift for the rest of time.

Writing is the action of thinking, just as drawing is the action of seeing and composing music is the action of hearing.

The point at which society moves towards our views is a point where we are significantly closer to the vegan world that we are all working toward.

As human beings, we're given intelligence. This is how we make our way through this reality, how we manifest our reality clearly and coherently.

I use singing as a warm-up before big scenes I have to do on set. It's also great to make people less nervous.

The Bible talks about everlasting fire and eternal darkness when it describes hell... We do know that hell is real and forever.

There is something in humility which, strangely enough, exalts the heart, and something in pride which debases it.