I'm thankful to be here in Cleveland, and I believe this is where I belong.

Try to be someone upon whom nothing is lost!

Without constructive skepticism, without human progress.

Here we are, the most clever species ever to have lived. So how is it we can destroy the only planet we have?

The service we render others is really the rent we pay for our room on Earth.

New Orleans may well have been the most liberal Deep South city in 1954 because of its large Creole population, the influence of the French, and its cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Happiness doesn't require laughter, only well-being and a sense that the world is breaking someone else's heart, not mine.

I consider that success for anything, whether it's being a musician or a writer. As long as you can support yourself, you're successful. People need to change their idea of what success is.

Virtue tested: "Have I not survived hunger and thirst, suffering, and mockery for the sake of the truth which heaven has awakened in my heart?

I won't call myself a failure. Failure is not getting knocked down. It's not getting up.

I don't make the mistake of thinking it's a major musical event. I love the Eurovision Song Contest and it will continue long after I'm gone. Just please don't ask me to take it seriously.