David Geffen

[On Laura Nyro] I said to Laura ‘You know Laura, I think we should sell your music publishing company. I think right now is the right time you have three songs in the top ten this may never happen again and I think we can get a lot of money for it.’ And I made a deal with Clive Davis to sell Tuna Fish Music for $4 million. And that was a hell of a lot of money in 1969. It made her famous, it made her rich. It got people to listen to her music with her singing.

My greatest fear is getting bored.

There are so few great talents, it’s always a discovery when you find the one.

[On being partners with Laura Nyro in Tuna Fish Music (Laura’s favorite food was Tuna Fish)] We became partners in this new publishing company.

Anybody who thinks money will make you happy, hasn’t got money.

The bullsh*t is more interesting than the truth.

The truth is, I think we are a self-less society, not a selfish society. Because we’re so busy now.

Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn’t.

“He who angers you, conquers you.” – Elizabeth Kenny

The industrial value of leisure as a promoter of the consumption of goods, and thus as a stimulant to business have been proved.

The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.

I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.

You have to name it to claim it.

The highest proof of virtue is to possess boundless power without abusing it.

The gifted man bears his gifts into the world, not for his own benefit, but for the people among whom he is placed; for the gifts are not his, he himself is a gift to the community.

Love is not just looking at each other, it’s looking in the same direction.

Seeing things that are bothering you written down takes away their power. It gives you a perspective. Helps you contain them.

The universe, at any given point, in any given time, is expanding indefinitely in all directions. So trust me when I say, ‘you are the center of mine.’

One side of unhealthy relating is if you are always pursuing or always retreating.

Even in the presence of others he was completely alone.

The genius of the American people is Self-Reliance.