You can consider this carved in stone: I rule out becoming Herman Van Rompuy's successor.

When the going gets tough, you have to lie.

When it becomes serious, you have to lie.

I'm ready to be insulted as being insufficiently democratic, but I want to be serious ... I am for secret, dark debates.

I believe neither the French nor the Dutch really rejected the constitutional treaty.

I notice with a certain sense of regret that far too many Europeans are returning to a regional and national mindset.

Decisions can only be reached in Europe if France and Germany agree.

It is not acceptable that European Union countries are divided into those who give and those who take.

I am chilled by the realization of how similar circumstances in Europe in 2013 are to those of 100 years ago.

It is not more Europe or less Europe that we need. We need a better Europe.

I am for secret, dark debates.

i hate that its my favorite thing to watch her, because it shouldn't be. It triggers all these what-ifs in my head, and my mind begins imagining things it shouldn't be imagining...

As for Doing-good...I have tried it fairly, and, strange as it may seem, am satisfied that it does not agree with my constitution.

I am what I am - which is I have aged.

One of the few things in dance to match the Royal Ballet's curtain calls is the Royal Ballet's dancing.

When one plays a Steinway, there is a warmth and nobility in the sound that is unequalled by any other instrument.

One often has need of one inferior to himself.

There's sometimes a little bit of a trap to limit yourself for an audience.

Chess is a cure for headaches.

A civilization which leaves so large a number of its participants unsatisfied and drives them into revolt neither has nor deserves the prospect of a lasting existence.

Every morning the world flung itself over and exposed the town to the sun.