It never seems to occur to some people, that, like beauty, a sense of humor may sometimes be fatal.

When Tarzan killed he more often smiled than scowled, and smiles are the foundation of beauty.

If I had followed my better judgment always, my life would have been a very dull one.

I have been successful probably because I have always realized that I knew nothing about writing and have merely tried to tell an interesting story entertainingly.

If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor.

The more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.

So strong is the power of superstition that even though we know that we have been reverencing a sham, yet still we hesitate to admit the validity of our new-found convictions.

I do not think that I am ever overconfident. I am merely wholly confident, and I maintain that there is all the difference in the world there.

It is a characteristic of the weak and criminal to attribute to others the misfortunes that are the result of their own wickedness.

Golf is a mental disorder.

Am I alive and a reality, or am I but a dream?

Desire is the starting point of all achievement.

Being brave requires taking deliberate action and doing something new that stretches you beyond your comfort zone.

It's sad to be constantly judged for every move you make after your first success. If you wear your hair differently, you have changed.

With my portable recording system, I didn't feel like I was listening as a distant observer; rather, I had been sucked into a new space - becoming an integral part of the experience itself.

The mere fact of an American being present could help save the lives of innocent people. That's why I believe in the importance of bearing witness, to become a voice for the voiceless.

I think the main thing to remember when writing a novel is to stay true to the characters.

I always thought that if I got no love at all early in my standup career, or I was god awful, I thought I'd get into psychology.

World events do not occur by accident. They are made to happen, whether it is to do with national issues or commerce; and most of them are staged and managed by those who hold the purse strings.

Your political system is actually too democratic. The fact that Americans vote on every bill and proposition can prolong bigotry indefinitely, especially where it is aimed at minority groups.

I wanted to undertake the challenge of daring to be great.