It is the dim haze of mystery that adds enchantment to pursuit.

The most civilized people are as near to barbarism as the most polished steel is to rust. Nations, like metals, have only a superficial brilliancy.

Man spends his life in reasoning on the past, in complaining of the present, in fearing future.

Of every ten persons who talk about you, nine will say something bad, and the tenth will say something good in a bad way.

The absolute ruler may be a Nero, but he is sometimes a Titus or Marc Aurelius; the people is often Nero, but never Marc Aurelius.

To lose one's self in reverie, one must be either very happy, or very unhappy. Reverie is the child of extremes.

Gold like the sun, which melts wax, but hardens clay, expands great souls.

The only thing wealth does for some people is to make them worry about losing it.

The modest man has everything to gain, and the arrogant man everything to lose; for modesty has always to deal with generosity, and arrogance with envy.

Opinions, theories, and systems pass by turns over the grindstone of time, which at first gives them brilliancy and sharpness, but finally wears them out.

Ideas are a capital that bears interest only in the hands of talent.

There's a lot of talk these days about giving children self-esteem. It's not something you can give

Perfect order is the forerunner of perfect horror.

I have a wonderful make-up crew. They're the same people restoring the Statue of Liberty.

Behold the crucifix; what does it symbolize? Pallid incompetence hanging on a tree.

Not only must Americans admire Israel, there can be no doubt that we have an interest in, and special responsibility for, that valiant nation.

Pleasure is found first in anticipation, later in memory.

The music business used to carry a certain amount of brotherly love, but it isn't that way now.

I began to rationalize marrying Will [William Houston Price]. 'He comes from a good family. A girl could do worse.' (As it turned out, I couldn't, but I didn't know that yet.)

I'm curious about everything, except what people have to say about me.

I personally do not listen to a lot of music. It helps keep my mind free. I don't want to sound like someone else from the get-go. I want to express myself and the world in my head.