People wonder if there is a relationship between my lack of sight and the way I sing. But there's no connection.

A love song must respect the canons of music beauty, entering the fibers of those who are listening. It must make them dream and pleasantly introduce them to the universe of love.

I prefer to work for my country in a free and independent way. I was born free, and I want to die free. I am always suspicious of ideology. Instead, I respect men with ideas.

My life experience has taught me nothing happens by chance. Even the idea of the ball in a roulette game: it's not chance it ends up in a certain place. It's forces that are at play.

A positive frame of mind will definitely enhance your travelling experience. If I'm not in a positive frame of mind then the whole thing definitely becomes more of a challenge for me.

Faith has a role to play in life. It is not related to success. It is the other way round. Success is related to faith. Faith comes first.

Criticism in good faith is good. When it's targeted solely to destruction, I'm not interested.

In my iPod, there are many operas, from A to Z. I have 'Aida' and 'Boheme' and 'Butterfly' and 'Cavalleria'. My passion is for opera, but when I'm in the car, I listen to everything.

Singing provides a true sense of lightheartedness. If I sing when I am alone, I feel wonderful. It's freedom.

Thought about being a stand up comedienne for zombies, but when they eat you alive, they really eat you!!

And she felt as though she had been there, on that bench, for an eternity. For an infinity of passion can be contained in one minute, like a crowd in a small space.

Universe is the Sun watching its own self.

I would have preferred someone else to have been in charge of rescuing this story, but once again life has taught me that my role is to be a witness, not the leading actor.

We have this history of impossible solutions to insoluble problems.

A song marks an occasion in my life and that's how I live my life, by songs.

I'd rather sing a sad song than eat.

Love may be the ultimate solution to all man's difficulties, problems and travails.

A nice man is a man of nasty ideas.

To read Helen Macdonald's memoir, H Is for Hawk, is to feel as though Emily Bronte just turned up at your door, trailing all the windy, feral outdoors into your living room.