I was vegetarian for a long time, and in the last four years I started eating chicken and fish. I feel like it really built up my strength a lot.

As long as I tell the truth I feel that nobody can touch me.

Henry Rollins

There are only so many movies you can direct. And yet there are movies that I want to make sure make it to the screen in as honest a way as possible.

Jason Reitman

But what do I have? The things I'm told and the things I tell, that's all. And as far as I know, that never yet made anyone fly.

Mario Vargas Llosa

The art of the parenthesis is one of the greatest secrets of eloquence in Society.

Nicolas Chamfort

If the secret sorrows of everyone could be read on their forehead, how many who now cause envy would suddenly become the objects of pity.

Italian Proverb

Let us not underestimate how hard it is to be compassionate. Compassion is hard because it requires the inner disposition to go with others to the place where they are weak, vulnerable, lonely, and broken. But this is not our spontaneous response to suffering. What we desire most is to do away with suffering by fleeing from it or finding a quick cure for it. As busy, active, relevant ministers, we want to earn our bread by making a real contribution. This means first and foremost doing something to show that our presence makes a difference. And so we ignore our greatest gift, which is our ability to enter into solidarity with those who suffer. Those who can sit in silence with their fellowman, not knowing what to say but knowing that they should be there, can bring new life in a dying heart. Those who are not afraid to hold a hand in gratitude, to shed tears in grief and to let a sigh of distress arise straight from the heart can break through paralyzing boundaries and witness the birth of a new fellowship, the fellowship of the broken.

Henri Nouwen

The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.

William Shakespeare

The world is full of poetry. The air is living with its spirit and the waves dance to the music of its melodies, and sparkle in its brightness.

James Gates Percival

Moral wounds have this peculiarity - they may be hidden, but they never close; always painful, always ready to bleed when touched, they remain fresh and open in the heart.

Alexandre Dumas

When you're stuck, and sure you've written absolutely garbage, force yourself to finish and then decide to fix or scrap it - or you will never know if you can.

Jodi Picoult

I was trying to break out of the suburbs, and when I did break out, I don't think I took my whole self with me - I think I played a role of being too cool and hip.

Liz Phair

The biggest surprise, which is also the best, is that I didn't know I would love motherhood as much as I do.

Deborah Norville