Then everything was still. Absolutely still.

I love teaching. It's a job that lasts forever. Whatever you teach children today travels with them far into the future.

Writing is a miracle. You can travel anywhere in the world, to any time and any place — and still be home in time to have dinner.

I have to keep facing the darkness. If I stand tall and face the thing I fear, I have a chance to conquer it. If I just keep dodging and hiding it will conquer me.

Reading is the basic springboard for learning. And books provide the liftoff. They are the great equalizer, opening up new worlds to everyone.

There is no water and still less soap. We have no city, but lots of hope.

The historical novel gives us perspective on our modern lives and helps us connect with the story, which we are continuing ourselves.

I believe we're entering a new era, where dynamic female leaders will have an opportunity to bring greater harmony and peace to the planet.

Artists have to believe in the merit of their own work and persevere whether they receive public recognition or not, but it's ever so nice when someone says, "Job well done"!

I think it might be nice if there was a Cosimo de' Medici around today, offering commissions to the poor, but talented artists.

set sail on a voyage of your own titanic facts

You ought to have a vivid picture of what you want.

When we realize we can make a buck cleaning up the environment, it will be done!

Clay is so young and has been misled by the wrong people. He might as well have joined the Ku Klux Klan.

We are in God and God whom we do not see is in us.

The only thing that works is a good script!

Some say that I was once uncommonly beautiful, but I wouldn't wish beauty on any woman who has not her own freedom, and who chooses not the hands that claim her.

Laugh as much as you can.

Coming down off crack is like the worst depression. The worst.

When we come to the place of impossibilities, it is the grandest place for us to see the possibilities of God.

I wear a hat on stage so that people won't be blinded by the reflection from my head. Also, if I don't wear a hat, there's no way that the hat can be at that level by itself on the stage.