I am an optimist, unrepentant and militant. After all, in order not to be a fool an optimist must know how sad a place the world can be. It is only the pessimist who finds this out anew every day.

If Botticelli were alive today he'd be working for Vogue.

The social sciences were for all those who had not yet decided what to do with their lives, and for all those whose premature frustrations led them into the sterile alleys of confrontation.

Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious.

Monica Seles: I'd hate to be next door to her on her wedding night.

Flogging. The only solution to every problem. I warrant even the culprit himself doesn't know! It was just... his... turn!

I imagine hell like this: Italian punctuality, German humour and English wine.

Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.

Beliefs are what divide people. Doubt unites them.

Terrorism is the war of the poor, and war is the terrorism of the rich.

If you're going to be a prisoner of your own mind, the least you can do is make sure it's well furnished.

Wine can be a better teacher than ink, and banter is often better than books

Yesterday is the history chapter in the book of life, isn't it time you turned the page?

... the scarlet thread, the red clay from which we were made, runs in tiny streams through all our veins, reminding us of where we began...

Total war is no longer war waged by all members of one national community against all those of another. It is total... because it may well involve the whole world.

The most efficient labor-saving device is still money.

In every work a reward added makes the pleasure twice as great.

I think hope is key, in life and in art.

You won’t be famous until people start saying the worst things they can about you. Don’t worry! It’s a good sign!

I'm very lucky that I get to make a living out of acting, which is what I love, and the level of attention I receive has sometimes been my own fault and sometimes not been.

There's nothing wrong with being fired.