If you can't write a story that pleases yourself, you will never please the public. But in writing the story forget the public.

Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.

My optimism wears heavy boots and is loud.

Fear is nature's warning signal to get busy.

There is no remedy for love but to love more.

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.

Don't find fault, find a remedy.

The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.

Coming together is a beginning keeping together is progress working together is success.

When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the aeroplane takes off against the wind, not with it.

Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.

There it was, Eve supposed. There was the answer to why people got tangled up with people. Because when you were down, when you were wallowing, someone you mattered to would ask if you were okay.

The realization was becoming clearer: How could she expect others to trust her with the intricacies of their lives if she was not not willing to reveal hers?

I was listening to music long before rock 'n roll.

In not having an appointment at Harvard, I'm in the company of a great many people whose work I admire tremendously, in particular women of color.

Everybody sees me as this sullen and insecure little thing. Those are just the sides of me that I feel it's necessary to show because no one else seems to be showing them.

I love you more than words. And I am a big fan of words.

There will be today, there will be tomorrow, there will be always, and there was yesterday, and there was the day before.

Every single house has had death visit.

When you get talented people together with egos, this is kind of what happens.

They say miracles are past.