Life does find a way to create a balance somewhere between smiles and tears. And, like a pendulum's swing, life seldom stays in one place. Life keeps on moving until, one day, it stops.

Nothing about these times makes any sense. Nothing. Putting it to words only makes it sound too simple.

Is there a magical time when children become parents to their parents?

My parents have lived longer than most and have expected very little. We have been blessed in too many ways to count.

If food is poetry, is not poetry also food?

To a wise and good man the whole earth is his fatherland.

When you come right down to it the secret of having it all is loving it all.

Some of the happiest times I ever saw my dad was times when I was with him in the casinos, and he had a good night.

You can take your Law," she said in a measured tone, "and shove it right up your-

There is no single field of activity, not a single institution, free of the most brutal sort of corruption. Russia has bred a world-class mafia.

He wants Obama to do one thing, call him ... He said, if you can, Dennis, I don't want to do war. I don't want to do war. He said that to me.

I've never done anything but dream. This, and this alone, has been the meaning of my life. My only real concern has been my inner life.

I have a lot of real life experience with hustling and doing stupid stuff.