See, the night doth enfold us! See, all the world lies sleeping!

Inspiration is an awakening, a quickening of all man's faculties, and it is manifested in all high artistic achievements.

The music of this opera (Madame Butterfly) was dictated to me by God. I was merely instrumental in getting it on paper and communicating it to the public.

Art is a kind of illness.

I lived for art, I lived for love

The work comes into the world at an undetermined hour, from a still unknown, but it comes inevitably.

I'm working, but there is so much still to be done! And it frightens me to think of my weight of years. But on we go, without fear or hesitation!

Cold calculation, random spots of color, mathematically exact construction (clearly shown or concealed), drawing that is now silent and now strident . . . . Is this not form?

Power is lonely. Power stands apart. I have power. Therefore, I'm lonely.

The present is the blocks with which we build.

The aim of talk should be like the aim of a flying arrow -- to hit the mark; but to this end there must be a mark to hit, that is, there must be a listener.

Life experience is the best teacher.

In moviemaking, you learn to pay attention to detail, because so much is in the detail. And when you're shooting, you try to be very alert to what's going on, even if you're tired.

When I was a little girl in the 1950s, it would not have been possible for me to say, I want to be an anchorwoman when I grow up.

Uplift, your mind is a gift.

I have no doubt that given a real choice, the vast majority of Muslims and Arabs, like everyone else will choose a free society over a fear society.

Surely the principles of Christianity lead to action as well as meditation.

We must educate our sons to save our daughters