I've always said that I expected to grow up and get married like any nice southern girl, but the fact is you don't get married in the abstract. You find someone that you'd like to be married to.

We need to move beyond the idea that girls can be leaders and create the expectation that they should be leaders.

Great leaders never accept the world as it was and always work for the world as it should be

You might not be able to control your circumstances but you can control your response to your circumstances.

The first step for a leader is to be right with yourself. Integrity is the basis of leadership.

In America, with education and hard work, it really does not matter where you came from; it matters only where you are going.

Self esteem comes from achievements. Not from lax standards and false praise.

You will make a difference in the world, but not immediately. Your first obligation is to find something you like doing, because if you like doing it, you'll do it well.

When somebody underestimated me, it made me want to prove them wrong.

Education is of no value and talent is worthless - unless you have an unwavering aim. Never find yourself without a compass.

Differences can be a strength.

To me, business isn't about wearing suits or pleasing stockholders. It's about being true to yourself, your ideas and focusing on the essentials.

The main problem is to free your mind when you play. I find that in my own playing, whenever I feel any kind of tension, I'm restricted to playing the most fundamental kinds of things.

Jesus gave his life on the cross for any who will believe. We're not redeemed by silver or gold. Jesus paid for it with his blood.

Who cares who comes out of the closet or not, so long as you're happy?

If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do succeed.

To misunderstand the nature and threat of evil is to risk being blindsided by it.

The mind's direction is more important than its progress.

Never bury something deep, baby. Takes twice as much courage to be who you are, say what you think, feel what you feel and let it show then it does to bury it.

I went to a funeral recently, and they handed out Kleenex before the funeral. Which I thought was cocky.

I look for the ability to work. Directing is hard work. They don't teach you that in film school. Critics are not aware of it, but it is hard, physical work.