Perhaps in nearly every joy, as certainly in every pleasure, cruelty has its place.

I don't want to be at the mercy of my emotions. I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them.

Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.

The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.

Oh, brothers! I don't care for brothers. My elder brother won't die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.

If a man treats life artistically, his brain is his heart.

What fire does not destroy, it hardens

All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril.

Whenever a man does a thoroughly stupid thing, it is always from the noblest motives.

Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.

The basis of optimism is sheer terror.

The only place where success comes before work is a dictionary.

Art depends on luck and talent.

It would seem to me that by the time a race has achieved deep space capability it would have matured to a point where it would have no thought of dominating another intelligent species.

Sci-fi has just become an effects-fest, and the story has taken a back seat to all that eye candy. To me, that's not really storytelling; that's just showcasing the latest gadgetry.

It means a great deal to have the faith and trust of so many people who share the view and vision I have for the USA and I'm going to do everything I can not to let them down.

Angela Merkel wants to impose her policies on others. This will lead to an explosion of the European Union.

No competence is required to be a scarecrow!

Lovers are mirrors to each other. Love makes you aware of your original face.

I do not use the language of my people. I can take liberties with certain themes which the Arabic language would not allow me to take.

Worried thought prevents practical thought which could prevent worried thought.