One of the greatest motivating factors is the pat on the back, although with some individuals, you have to make the pat a little lower or a little harder.

Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts.

Passion is momentary love is enduring.

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

Just do the best you can. No one can do more than that.

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.

Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.

Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who'll argue with you.

It's what you learn after you know it all that counts.

Winning takes talent; to repeat takes character.

Men have two greatest fears: the first fear is the fear of being needed, and the second fear is the fear of not being needed.

For a moment, his pupils flickered blue, like there were tiny bathypelagic fish swimming in the deep trenches of his eyeballs.

Both of my girls have very high self-esteem because they were both able to master certain things; I should think that's good for their confidence.

Earnest is our dog. She senses instantly that something is wrong, and guided by that timeless and unerring nurturing instinct that all female dogs have, she tries to lick my ears off.

In addition I wanted to write a Southern novel, because I'm a Southerner.

I know people look at me and try to make conclusions about me immediately, based on the obvious, let's say.

There is no such thing as a Difficult Piece. A piece is either impossible - or it is easy. The process whereby it migrates from one category to the other is known as practicing.

I think the book you always like best is the one you're about to write.

Sunshine, it’s the Celt wanting a little reassurance that I haven’t eaten you or anything. (Vane)

...the true greatness of a nation is founded on principles of humanity.