I think writers of memoirs need to be respected for the bold decision they take to bare their lives open. That alone should be enough. The things I write about, if you notice, are sensitive issues for a lot of people. If I told you my age, they would get ideas. The next thing you know they'll be filing lawsuits against me.

The great leaders have always stage-managed their effects.

I'm a crybaby.

Friendship is a sheltering tree.

I'm also getting an Ovation Legend, because I like them so much.

Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.

Okay, this is a secret, but I think that nursery rhymes are the most relaxing and fun songs.

Everybody now seems to be talking about democracy. I don't understand this. As I think of it, democracy isn't like a Sunday suit to be brought out and worn only for parades. It's the kind of a life a decent man leads, it's something to live for and to die for.

Generally, the French highly promote culture and the arts, and photography is in their blood.

Fidel Castro for me is like a father.

After the $700 billion bailout, the trillion-dollar stimulus, and the massive budget bill with over 9,000 earmarks, many of you implored Washington to please stop spending money we don't have. But, instead of cutting, we saw an unprecedented explosion of government spending and debt, unlike anything we have seen in the history of our country.