I was told when I went for a life-insurance exam when I was 18 that I was not likely to live past 50, so I refused to pay the premium.

The most perfect expression of human behavior is a string quartet.

Basically speaking, conducting is quite a healthy profession.

So I observe life a little bit, rather than participating in it.

I guess, as a conductor, one goes in and out of fashion. Your career starts with a bang, everyone thinks you're wonderful, and then with middle age, something happens and you go into the wilderness.

I had a sense of debt to the medical profession and to surgery particularly. I would not be as ambient as I am without it.

The strength of a country derives from the educational levels of the individuals in that nation.

And-he was ashamed to admit--he had been known to carry off the occasional roll of duct tape. That stuff could be used for everything.

God created you to see what you would show Him.

It was always a funny thing when someone would ask me my name and I would say "Brooklyn." They would always think that I meant that I lived in Brooklyn, and I would have to clarify that.

You've got to respect the game and you've got to respect what the people that have played have done for the game.

Love is when you have a really amazing piece of cake, and it’s the very last piece, but you let him have it.

The only thing ever achieved in life without effort is failure.

I saw a sneak preview of Jack Reacher and give two thumbs up to Tom Cruise. He did a great job with the role.

A healthy body isn't defined by weight or size. It's about so much more.

The stone that is rolling can gather no moss;For master and servant oft changing is loss.