There is little place in the political scheme of things for an independent, creative personality, for a fighter. Anyone who takes that role must pay a price.

The great forces of history were real, after a fashion. But when you examined them closely, those great forces always came down to the dreams and hungers and judgments of individuals. The choices they made were real. They mattered.

Orson Scott Card

Every aspect of Western culture needs a new code of ethics -- a rational ethics -- as a precondition of rebirth.

Ayn Rand

If you talk bad about country music, it's like saying bad things about my momma. Them's fightin' words.

Dolly Parton

Of course, I'd like to produce and direct a blockbuster, but you gotta build up to that. So now I'm learning from a bunch of little movies. And it's more fun with smaller pictures. It's more creative.

Lea Thompson

So, cutting the lashing of the waterproof match keg, after many failures Starbuck contrived to ignite the lamp in the lantern; then stretching it on a waif pole, handed it to Queequeg as the standard-bearer of this forlorn hope. There, then, he sat, holding up that imbecile candle in the heart of that almighty forlornness. There, then, he sat, the sign and symbol of a man without faith, hopelessly holding up hope in the midst of despair.

Herman Melville

Artschwager's art always involves looking closely at surfaces, questions what an object is, wants to make you forget the name of the thing you're looking at so that it might mushroom in your mind into something that triggers unexpected infinities.

Jerry Saltz

I've had a lover's quarrel with the world

Robert Frost

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.

Thomas Paine, The Crisis, 1776

A single conversation across the table with a wise man is worth a month's study of books.

Chinese Proverb

Snape's patronus was a doe,' said Harry, 'the same as my mother's because he loved her for nearly all of his life, from when they were children.

J.K. Rowling

Smartass Disciple: But, you said that it's the truth??Master of Stupidity: O Yes. That is yesterday's truth.

Toba Beta

Nature gives you the face you have at twenty it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty.

Coco Chanel