if you take passionate interest in a subject, it is hard not to believe yourself specially equipped for it.

I feel I must fight for [my music], because I want women to turn their minds to big and difficult jobs; not just to go on hugging the shore, afraid to put out to sea.

The charms of seclusion are seldom combined with the conveniences of civilization.

crawling about the floor like half-dead November flies is one thing, and dancing reels another.

when I came to know Greek art I instantly understood that excess and perfection are enemies; yet on the other hand this world and the millions of worlds around us live by fire ... !

acceptance is an art that must be mastered if we want to keep our friends for the span of life that remains to us, and presently step off the stage with our self-respect intact.

no one is more trustworthy than the repentant sinner who has been found out.

I can imagine nothing more tiresome than always to speak of people as if they were listening at the door.

the majority of critical, and plenty of uncritical, readers find quotations a bore.

[On golf:] ... though aware I could never be more than a humble potterer, it was impossible to repress the wild upsurgings of hope known to all middle-aged beginners.

Poets are Damned... but See with the Eyes of Angels.

This is our first task-caring for our children. It's our first job. If we don't get that right, we don't get anything right. That's how, as a society, we will be judged.

You need a very good financial person to keep you honest, and to keep track of income and outgo.

Don't make excuses, make good.

I remember when I first walked into Mayer's cavernous office. You had to walk 50 yards to get to him, and in that time he could really study everything about you.

Everything I did, I did because I thought it was the correct thing to do… I am not a hero, it is true… But I am not a bad person, either.

The purpose of polite behavior is never virtuous. Deceit, surrender, and concealment these are not virtues. The goal of the mannerly is comfort, per se.

Man is the most dangerous, destructive, selfish, and unethical animal on earth.

I don't think comedy comes from hotbeds of doing shtick. I think it usually comes from some kind of childhood humiliation or darkness.

It is awful to want to go away and to want to go nowhere.