You look at the Americans. They don't lack fervour in moral causes. They promote democracy, freedom of speech, women's rights, gay rights, sometimes even transgender rights. But you don't see them applying that universally across the world with all their allies.

You need to have good people: honourable, capable, committed in politics, standing in public office. It's not a guarantee, but it's the ideal we have to aim for.

America is a great nation, not just because of your power and your wealth, but because of your high ideals, openness, and generosity of spirit.

Everybody has his place; everybody is equal. Treated equally, equal standing, equal rights and status.

I had the notion that, OK, so now we have all of this wealth, we could buy not only one expensive car, we could buy all of them. As soon as you realize that you could buy all of them, then none of them are particularly interesting or satisfying.

I trade musical favours like cattle. I can't remember the last time I did a remix for actual money. For me, I try and get a good swap.

I have a lot of respect for countries where the practice of democracy is highly developed. I think, however, that each country has to have its own specific features of democracy.

I would curse people who resort to coups against democracy, liberty, republic.