I think living in a new country gives you a certain bravery that you don't have when you live in your own country - because of the freedom it gives you.

I think speaking Italian affects your whole body movement. It's so musical and animated and passionate.

All women are sisters.

A child that’s being abused by its parents doesn’t stop loving its parents, it stops loving itself.

We put so much pressure on kids to excel in school at such a young age.

I always knew I wanted to write really imaginative fiction - fiction that was very different from my real life.

in freeing myself from the romantic dream of finding another man to come along and rescue me, I learned that no one can rescue me except myself.

I don't mistrust reality, of which I know next to nothing. I mistrust the picture of reality conveyed to us by our senses, which is imperfect and circumscribed.

Ireland has a role to play in making the E.U. united and strong.

All the truly great stand-ups say, "I go onstage, and I work on jokes. The inspiration will happen while I'm doing my work." To me, in the end, the surest thing is work.

We can all do something to help end domestic violence. A Real Man would never abuse his partner or children, and I am proud to put my name to the Women's Aid Real Man campaign.

So I really would like to see both parties respond to the poor with greater commitment. But I've got to tell you, the Democrats, I feel, are doing a better job in that respect than Republicans are.