The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistic and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind.

Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it.

We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It is a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person.

To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.

It's a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.

If a nation values anything more than freedom, it will lose its freedom; and the irony of it is that if it is comfort or money that it values more, it will lose that too.

The secret to life is meaningless unless you discover it yourself.

The only important thing in a book is the meaning that it has for you.

It is dangerous to let the public behind the scenes. They are easily disillusioned and then they are angry with you, for it was the illusion they loved.

Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more powerful in the mature than in the young.

Love is only a dirty trick played on us to achieve continuation of the species.

Chiron looked surprised. “I thought that would be obvious enough. The entrance to the Underworld is in Los Angeles.

In a sense, discouragement does not have to exist. Allow it to be rather the encouragement to honestly reconsider all the options, then, as necessary, shine on.

You're almost always better off keeping your mouth shut, but don't let that stop you from popping off.

It takes bravery to care for someone — no matter who he is or what made him, whether he is weak or walking or jumping out of windows. The risk involved is enormous.

The common law of this state held man and wife to be one person, but that person was the husband.

Through my handicaps, I have found my self, my work, my God.

A sum of money is a leading character in this tale about people, just as a sum of honey might properly be a leading character in a tale about bees.

Enthusiasm does not always speak for those who arouse it, but always for those who experience it.

I love Katy Perry and Lady GaGa. I think GaGa's pushing the envelope every day and I really like that.

I'm a Tennessean at heart, and a New Yorker in spirit.