Reading and writing are in themselves subversive acts. What they subvert is the notion that things have to be the way they are, that you are alone, that no one has ever felt the way you have.

Writing was a spiritual exercise for my father, the only thing he really believed in.

Humanism is not a single character. It is a magnificent blend of various emotional and behavioral traits that are unique to the human mind.

Only in God can you find true fulfillment.

If you cannot smile when you listen to music, then do not listen to it!

Every sort of seven billion human being have to think about the well-being of humanity.

I'm still pretty terrified of heights.

[H]e that thinks absolute power purifies men's blood, and corrects the baseness of human nature, need read the history of this, or any other age, to be convinced to the contrary.

By no means, I can't sing any rock and roll.

It is the power of music to carry one directly into the mental state of the composer.

Our daughters are the most precious of our treasures, the dearest possessions of our homes and the objects of our most watchful love.

My life didnʹt need to be on the line for me to enjoy dessert.