I'd rather have the influence than the power, and the influence to me is to build institutions of independence and democracy, to regain for Egypt prestige in education and science and technology.

I am not one of the new media experts working all the time with my computers and the PowerPoints and things of that sort.

On the banks of the Nile, the Rosetta branch, I lived an enjoyable childhood in the City of Disuq, which is the home of the famous mosque, Sidi Ibrahim.

From the dawn of history, science has probed the universe of unknowns, searching for the uniting laws of nature.

Curiosity - the rover and the concept - is what science is all about: the quest to reveal the unknown.

Investing in science education and curiosity-driven research is investing in the future.

The soft power of science has the potential to reshape global diplomacy.

Let me put it this way: There is nothing in Islam that is fundamentally against the quest for knowledge.

In today's world, America's soft power is commonly thought to reside in the global popularity of Hollywood movies, Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Starbucks.

Despite differences of faith or even the occasional collisions between them, Egypt is united.

Every effort should be made to help build the new democratic nation with reconciliation and forgiveness, for the sake of Egypt and not for the benefit of a party or a group.

Knowledge is a weapon. I intend to be formidably armed.

I was behind, but now I'm below. Hopefully, they'll have books wherever I go...

People write memoirs because they lack the imagination to make things up.

I love connecting with kids. I love connecting with children of all ages to keep their imagination active because that's the key to happiness and imagination and creativity.

I guess I work well with others I handle younger actors well.

The brain's preferred source of fuel is glucose/carbohydrates. And when you go on a low-carb/high-protein diet, your brain is using low-octane fuel. You'll be a little groggy, a little grumpy.

Really? Anyone intimidated by Barack Obama? He can't even keep Joe Biden in line.

Objects are better than text at conveying narrative

After every storm, there comes clear open skies.

Awakening your spiritual side is really what artists do. When you hit a groove, it's not you; it's the spirit world.