I can't imagine it if beauty was the only currency I used as an actress. It just doesn't interest me.

I love firing guns. It's an amazing feeling - so sexy and powerful.

I am often lost in my own world, with a frown on my face.

From a very young age, stories fuelled my imagination in the most wonderful way.

The art of conversation consist as much in listening politely, as in talking agreeably.

I think it's always easier to play parts that you have something concrete that you can relate to.

I read a lot of heavy literature when I'm on set, so on holiday I want to indulge in something light-hearted.

Because I trained in theater, I always leave a film shoot feeling like I haven't done anything, like I just sat in front of the camera and whispered, essentially.

I'd love to do an action movie. Something with lots of stunts. Anything fast and dangerous and involving guns.

I don't think I'm curvaceous. It's simply that most other actresses are really, stupidly tiny.

I'm deeply ambitious and I always have been.

I am a humanist, which means, in part, that I have tried to behave decently without expectations of rewards or punishments after I am dead.

Read it wisely, Little One, for the power of ignorance is great.

Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push - a smile. A word of optimism and hope, a 'you can do it!' when things are tough

One minute I was playing chess and doing maths all the time, the next I had been rerouted into more 'normal' girls' activities: reading, writing stories and worrying about my clothes.

Fear of the unknown is a terrible fear.

Man, like the generous vine, supported lives; the strength he gains is from the embrace he gives.

I would rather be thought of as a teacher than a coach.

I'm really into rocks. I have a really serious rock collection. Rocks and feathers and shells and strange found things in nature. I have a lot of those kinds of collections.

There's nothing more contagious than the laughter of young children; it doesn't even have to matter what they're laughing about.

. . . if you can tell the difference between good advice and bad advice, you don't need advice.