Man is the only animal whose desires increase as they are fed; the only animal that is never satisfied.

What has destroyed every previous civilization has been the tendency to the unequal distribution of wealth and power.

What protectionism teaches us, is to do to ourselves in time of peace what enemies seek to do to us in time of war.

There are only three ways by which any individual can get wealth — by work, by gift or by theft. And, clearly, the reason why the workers get so little is that the beggars and thieves get so much.

There is danger in reckless change, but greater danger in blind conservatism.

Laissez faire (in its full true meaning) opens the way to the realization of the noble dreams of socialism.

That which is unjust can really profit no one; that which is just can really harm no one.

Let no man imagine that he has no influence. Whoever he may be, and wherever he may be placed, the man who thinks becomes a light and a power.

Poorly paid labor is inefficient labor, the world over.

There can be to the ownership of anything no rightful title which is not derived from the title of the producer and does not rest upon the natural right of the man to himself.

There are people into whose heads it never enters to conceive of any better state of society than that which now exists.

What I would say to a person who is firm in their faith and wants to go into an acting career: It is such a difficult thing to do without compromising your beliefs.

I had hoped to go to law school, but the war started, and because of the strong feeling that I did not want to kill anybody, I joined the Merchant Marine when I graduated from Berkeley.

I cannot help thinking that there is something to admire in everyone, even if you do not approve of them.

The writing process was some of the most exciting and rewarding moments of my life. It felt a lot like being in a band.

A slight sound at evening lifts me up by the ears, and makes life seem inexpressibly serene and grand. It may be Uranus, or it may be in the shutter.

Rachmaninoff made a musician out of me. His 'Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini' was the piece that sent me into raptures. It spoke to me. To me, it was a tender entreaty for the misunderstood.

I will never be a skinny waif as I am physically unable to say "no" to free booze and snacks. Oh well.

There's something wrong when hedge fund managers pay lower tax rates than nurses or the truckers

Presenting feels like it did 50 years ago, but the pay's a lot better.

Many think kids have lots of time and few responsibilities. And that's just not true. They are stressed and under pressure.