Power doesn't always corrupt. Power can cleanse. What I believe is always true about power is that power always reveals.

At the ballet, you really feel like you're in the presence of something outside the rest of your life. Higher than the rest of your life.

I never wanted to do biography just to tell the life of a famous man. I always wanted to use the life of a man to examine political power, because democracy shapes our lives

The Senate is an unknowing world

Robert Moses wasn't elected to anything. We're taught that in a democracy power comes from being elected. He had more power than anyone, and he held it for 48 years

The moment the curtain rose on that first ballet, I knew something wonderful and new had come into my life. I can still see the first scene. The ballet was Divertimento No. 15

The New York City Ballet is obviously speaking to a whole new generation and bringing it the same wonder and beauty that it brought previous generations

Ballet is sort of a mystery to me. And I don't want to unravel that mystery.

I deliberately made an effort not to become an expert on the ballet.

I don't think of my books as being biographies. I never had any interest in doing a book just to write the life of a great man. I had zero interest in that. My interest is in power. How power works.

The ballet embodies the notes of music. And sometimes you almost feel like you can see the notes dance up there on the stage.

Take the straight path, even if it is long: marry no widow, even if she is a houri.

... the house is on fire, but go ahead - finish painting the verandah...

Just ended a conversation with one of America's most famous atheists with "God bless you." Couldn't help it. And I meant it. And he knew it.

I guess maybe someone at 'Dexter' saw the 'Mad Men' stuff and thought, 'He can do this.'

Critics play a dangerous game when they denounce the science and law EPA has used to defend clean air for more than 40 years. The American people know better.

I told her why we are here. I told you wouldn't hurt Jack." "The coffin?" I smiled. I couldn't help it. He was a 'jack in a box.

I'm interested in youth culture and popular culture.

So break me to small parts, let go in small doses, but spare some for spare parts.

I don't have much desire to move to LA much yet. I don't think you can expect it any time soon, but who knows what can happen in the future.

"Old" is definitely not cool in America. Never has been.