I'll admit - I was honored to be on the cover of Time

At a flea market I always head for the junk jewelry table first.

I was lucky enough to have the songs in my first show written by George and Ira Gershwin. Then Cole Porter wrote five shows for me

At one time I smoked, but in 1959 I couldn't think of anything else to give up for Lent so I stopped - and I haven't had a cigarette since.

I've never cooked. I can't do much more in the kitchen than make a cup of tea and some toast.

Any audience that gets a laugh out of me gets it while I'm facing them

There's such a thing as theater discipline. One player doesn't appropriate another's inventions

Broadway has been very good to me. But then, I've been very good to broadway.

I can never remember being afraid of an audience. If the audience could do better, they'd be up here on stage and I'd be out there watching them.

I can hold a note as long as the Chase National Bank.

I wouldn't change one thing about my professional life, and I make it a point not to dwell on my mistakes

Stories are how we connect. Evolution isn’t seriously about thumbs but about how we use language – that’s what raises us above dumb animals, right? Language?

To leave a book is like leaving the better part of oneself.

Christianity does not begin with our pursuit of Christ, but with Christ’s pursuit of us.

There is a beauty that arises from withholding judgment and evading comparison, a grace in not demanding consensus.

Well, as I was saying... everyone's so nice to me, usually.

When a man asks himself what is meant by action he proves he isn't a man of action.

Near a war is always not very near.

Every story you tell is your own story.

Life is very short; be willing to serve.

Luckily I have a brother who looks after my administration and my money, because I'm a total spendthrift.