the reason God made February short a few days was because he knew that by the time people came to the end of it they would die if they had to stand one more blasted day.

The name we give to something shapes our attitude toward it.

To fear is one thing. To let fear grab you by the tail and swing you around is another.

It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading.

Peace is not won by those who fiercely guard their differences, but by those who with open minds and hearts seek out connections.

I love revision. Where else can spilled milk be turned into ice cream?

As much pleasure as young people get from Twittering and texting, there is no way these activities will nourish their minds and spirits the way literature can.

Reading can be a road to freedom or a key to a secret garden, which, if tended, will transform all of life.

As I look back on what I have written, I can see that the very persons who have taken away my time are those who have given me something to say.

Some folks are natural born kickers. They can always find a way to turn disaster into butter.

I love to read. But I loved to read a lot longer than I started to love writing.

Fate is a funny character. She puts obstacles in your path to see what character ye have. Life isn't fair, life is a test.

If you look at life one way there is always cause for alarm.

I know a great country that needs to be rebuilt in terms of roads, bridges, schools. That is called the United States of America.

A natural parent has only two things principally to consider, the improvement of his son, and the finances to do it with.

How or by what magic is it, that we convey our thoughts to one another with such case and accuracy?

I love New York City. Everyone is busy with their own lives - and no one is interested in some Hollywood celebrity walking past in downtown Manhattan.

Everything here is so weak, little girl. Everything breaks so easily. They want such simple things.

I knew there was a reason I didnt turn you into a banana slug." Leonid'd eyes widened. "No banana slug! Please!" "It was a compliement, silly. Forbidden is good! Sadie likes forbidden!

They are just 100 per cent bear, whereas human beings feel we're not 100 per cent human, that we're always letting ourselves down. We're constantly striving towards something, to some fulfilment.

Thank God for the iron in the blood of our fathers