Germany's fate is decided first and foremost in Europe. Reconciliation and cooperation in Europe have brought us freedom, peace and prosperity. Who would have dared to believe so much 50 years ago?

I will be guided by the Christian ethic and an awareness that human action is by nature transient.

In my view, the humanity of our world can be measured against the fate of Africa.

A few weeks ago we were reminded that other peoples - in particular the United States of America - fought so that we Germans could live in liberty. That we should never forget.

If we know where we want to go, then even a stony road is bearable.

It is just not enough to strengthen the secret services for the fight against terrorism but it's also necessary to advance dialogue between cultures.

Germany must be a country which generates political ideas and leadership, which is capable of compromise, which is sovereign and yet knows that it needs its partners on both sides of the Atlantic.

Life doesn´t come with any guarantees. You have to risk it to get the biscuit." - The Alchemist, Paulo Cohelo -

Positive thoughts, positive self-image.

It Is Very Easy To Defeat Someone, But It Is Very Hard To Win Someone

In order for three people to keep a secret, two must be dead.

Some of my earliest political feelings were based on the anti-Japanese bubblegum cards I got. There were also Spanish Civil War bubblegum cards. Awful.

Well, what I'm doing is really clothing. I'm not doing sculpture.

I like the challenges of doing different things. It keeps things fresh for me.

Unfortunately I've gotten more resistance in the last year than I ever have.

It's wonderful when music is intellectually stimulating. But ultimately it has to be a visceral experience.

As a kid, I never thought I'd be an actress. Never, ever, ever, no way. I was really shy - bordering on social disorder shy - and I was really academic.