The hardest thing about Berlin is letting it belong to other people.

I can see criticizing, complaining, protesting - anything but choosing not to vote. Too many people died for us not to vote.

Criticism shouldn't be a performance that upstages the work it's talking about.

Home is the place where there is somebody who does not wish you any pain.

You can get away with anything as long as it works.

I think at the beginning of one's writing life, negative reviews are what one does to get attention and stake out your territory. It's also often a mistake.

It's not nothing when you're abroad and you don't have a washing machine.

People from Europe and people from Africa encountered one another long before the invention of "Europe" and "Africa" and "white people" and "black people."

The rise of fascism in Europe sent most Americans home. Some black American communists who had emigrated to the Soviet Union perished in Stalin's purges of the late 1930s.

If you're bored, your readers will be bored. If you're faking it, you won't get the kind of readers you want.

I can see Obama trying to be the president who suggests solutions for everyone who has experienced economic hardship.

to us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there.

Sum up at night what thou has done by day.

One of my greatest obsessions is the lights of a city. Through my eyes there is nothing so delicious and rich and lovely.

When you can look at failure and say, 'What is the worst case scenario, ' it's not as bad as it seems.

Not everyone will understand this need for America to lead the world in space.

I often speak to returning service people about their experiences while serving. Whether in 1915 or 2005, the core issue of facing death on a daily basis remains.

Film for me became how I related to everything else.

You dont need money, or plastic surgery to be a star

We’re not generating enough angry white guys to stay in business for the long term.

I played trumpet for about two weeks. Sixth grade. And I didn't practice. Maybe a little longer than two weeks, but I didn't practice and I was faking it.