Anna Quindlen

We tell lies when we are afraid, . . . afraid of what we don’t know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us. But every time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grows stronger.

I’m going to go down and take care of the bill. I’m not going to embarrass you, just let me do it. I had such a great time, I just want it to be my treat. [On returning after several minutes red faced] They won’t take my check, I don’t know what we’re going to do. [Robertson said ‘David, what we’ve spent here, we’re going to have to do a lot of dishes.’] I’m going to call Prince Rupert [Loewenstein] and ask him to call the hotel and tell them I’m good for it. Or maybe he can pay the bill and then I’ll pay him back or something. [Prince Rupert vouched for his credit and the hotel agreed to accept Geffen’s check.]

People cannot discover new lands until they have the courage to lose sight of the shore.

The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.

Experience shows that the frequent use of severe punishment has never rendered a people better. The death of a criminal is a less effective means of restraining crimes than the permanent example of a man deprived of his liberty during the whole of his life to make amends for the injury he has done to the public.

You generate the results in your life that you believe you deserve.

Time and space are modes by which we think and not conditions in which we live.

When you get to the top, don’t forget to send the elevator down for the next guy.

And of all the things I look forward to in life, falling in love with you is at the top of the list.

Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.

When we remember that we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.

I’m a product of pop culture.

You, and only you, choose how you feel.

Hain’t we got all the fools in town on our side? And hain’t that a big enough majority in any town?

No, I’m not anguished and tormented.