My feeling is that maintaining financial independence is also a healthy way to keep my feet on the ground.

Being First Lady is playing supporting act. I am not seeking notoriety and I am not seeking to grab the limelight.

In France, a first lady has no status, and therefore she isn't supposed to do anything else.

I built my entire life on the idea of independence.

I have never worn dresses by grands couturiers.

My perception of life is not to ask Francois Hollande, who isn't the father of my children, to support me financially.

I've shared the fate of many working mothers; I felt guilty like them.

I will count to 10 before tweeting.

I know politics; I know the media.

I am, and remain, passionate about news.

I am a committed observer. I like staying in the background and seeing what's going on.

People think someone's going to come from outside and cure the problem. People think a messiah will come. No. They key to success is to strengthen what's local.

My thoughts before a big race are usually pretty simple. I tell myself: Get out of the blocks, run your race, stay relaxed. If you run your race, you'll win... channel your energy. Focus.

They pondered the importance of coffee in silence.

You are more important than your problems.

All the breaks you need in life wait within your imagination.

Every moral act of love, of mercy, and of sacrifice brings to pass the end of the world where hatred, cruelty, and selfishness reign supreme.

A man who finishes a book is always alone when he finishes it.

People aren't wired to be alone. Even in the stressful population of prison, solitary confinement is still considered a cruel punishment.

Why procrastinate when you can precognitate?

It so difficult to know what the people we love really need.