To ennoble is to diminish by robbing people of their complexity, their completeness, of their humanity, which is always clouded by what gets stirred up at the bottom.

I would prefer to believe that things possess the power of recall, of recollection. That things are memoirs of the existences that once were theirs, if only we knew how to read them.

Hatred is unattractive, but it's also irresistible. If men were honest with themselves, they'd admit it's a stronger passion than lust.

I insist on caprice as a necessary countermeasure to slavery. Otherwise, my own dictatorial mind must take -- unknown to me -- its instructions from a mastermind.

There is wisdom out there that can’t be relayed in musings or sage advice. Like the complexity of life itself, it simply won’t condense. It can only be shown in its entirety. It takes a story.

The greatest profit, is to make your own gain.

Charlatanism of some degree is indispensable to effective leadership.

Take heede of an oxe before, of an horse behind, of a monke on all sides.

To anyone that ever told you you're no good.. they're no better.

I am First Lady by accident. I was not elected by the people but here I am.

I used to sleep, eat, breathe volleyball. Now I have that with my kids.

At the center of everything we call 'the arts,' and children call 'play,' is something which seems somehow alive.

Whether youre making a million dollar film or a $100 million film there is never enough money, theres never enough time.

What the wise do in the beginning, fools do in the end.