The first requisite for success is the ability to apply your physical and mental energies to one problem incessantly without growing weary.

There are three modes of bearing the ills of life, by indifference, by philosophy, and by religion.

Times of great calamity and confusion have been productive for the greatest minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace. The brightest thunder-bolt is elicited from the darkest storm.

Wealth after all is a relative thing since he that has little and wants less is richer than he that has much and wants more.

Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life's deepest joy: true fulfillment.

To not sing with an orchestra, to not be able to communicate through my voice, which I've done all my life, and not to be able to phrase lyrics and give people that kind of joy, I think I would be totally devastated.

I believe we should spend less time worrying about the quantity of books children read and more time introducing them to quality books that will turn them on to the joy of reading and turn them into lifelong readers.

Our idea of happiness, some of it, is very tied to the cult of celebrity: there is this golden, wonderful life that I want, and if I dress like that, I'm on my way there.