My mother was a churchgoing lady, so I always heard about God at home

Once you're a Motown artist, you're always a Motown artist

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day

I don't ever balk at being considered a Motown person, because Motown is the greatest musical event that ever happened in the history of music

As human beings, we're very materialistic and have all this stuff - furs and cars and diamonds and money.

If you feel like loving me, if you've got the notion, I second that emotion.

The only thing you're taking out of here is your spirit and your soul, so we need to be conscious to try and develop that part of ourselves, because we're all spiritual creatures.

Songwriting is my gift from God

One thing I can say about the Motown acts is that we were a family. That's not a myth

Mistakes, I know I've made a few. But I'm only human, you've made mistakes, too.

I will bring you a flower from the floor of the sea to wear in your hair.

How small the cosmos (a kangaroo's pouch would hold it), how paltry and puny in comparison to human consciousness, to a single individual recollection, and its expression in words!

Every day begins with an act of courage and hope: getting out of bed.

Hopefully people will be reinventing comedy forever and ever. This is just what I do, and it's a type of comedy.

I think people need to remember what the situation was when President [Barack] Obama came into office.

Though the physicality of death destroys us, the idea of death may save us.

The financial system in its current condition poses an existential threat to Western democracy far exceeding any terrorist threat.

If America would withdraw from South Korea, there could be a power struggle between such as China and Japan.

Can one make works which are not works of 'art'?

I write thank-you notes the minute I throw the wrapping paper away.

The pursuit of pleasure must be the goal of every rational person.