To do the best that I possibly could in my world makes me pretty happy.

I won't back down. I get a satisfaction from being tested and defeating the test.

If you have done something once, you can do it again or you can do it better. The beauty is the pursuit of the limit, not the limit itself. At least that's what I hope people realize.

The desire definitely comes from within. There are only a few people who make it to this level and those are the ones who have that innate desire.

Competition is pretty much the essence of everything, it gives humans drive.

It's important not to make the gold medal bigger than it is.

The thing I like about decathlon is also the thing I dislike: It's the maximum challenge, but also the maximum frustration.

I'm not maximized yet.

I think a challenge for myself is to see how many times I can get above 9,000. That would be a good challenge.

I wouldn't say there was a moment of realization when I wanted to be a runner; it was always just something I was.

I knew I could compete with most people in high school. It didn't quite give me an attitude, but it made me think I didn't have to try hard sometimes.

The patience and forbearance of the poor are among the strongest bulwarks of the rich.

Fashion is about comfort and feeling good.

Nine-tenths of the people were created so you would want to be with the other tenth.

You know there's only two things more beautiful than a good gun--a Swiss watch or a woman from anywhere.

Nearly all trouble comes from mis-timing.

I grew up in Oakland and Berkeley, California.

I shall not altogether die.

I think people who struggle to define themselves might never be satisfied because there is no definition. Living with responsibility is important, but I don't really think you have to grow up.

I don't believe in lynching, I just don't support legal action being taken against the KKK

I don't want marriage. You know why? Because I did that. I did it for 32 years.