suffering sweetens the reward

My Irish passport makes me look like a chief of staff for the Provisional IRA.

If you want to be happy for life, love what you do.

When an eighty-five pound mammal licks your tears away, then tries to sit on your lap, it's hard to feel sad.

Be proud to be a decent American rather than a wanker whipping up fear.

I love our shared island, our shared Ireland and its core decency. I love it for its imagination and its celebration of the endless possibilities for our people.

The truth is I hate cocktail parties when the only person I know is my supposed date, and he abandons me the minute we come in the door.

When someone is mean to me, I just make them a victim in my next book.

A good man's life is never quite ended; something of it always remains to touch and illuminate other lives.

The flame of inspiration needs to be encouraged. Put a glass around that small candle and protect it from discouragement or ridicule.

Writing is storytelling. No matter how you slice it, you're saying, 'Once upon a time.' That's what writing is all about.

Hold yourself back, or heal yourself back together. You decide.

My mom was really cool.

The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.

They pampered me, especially my grandmother ... I loved her with all my heart.

In the process of letting go you will lose many things from the past, but you will find yourself.

If they give me the bloody prize, why can't they say nice things about me?

I enjoyed 'The Avengers.' I couldn't do that kind of movie though. Superheroes aren't my deal.

The greatest secret in the world is that you only have to be a small measurable amount better than mediocrity ...and you've got it made.

There comes a time in every man's life when he's gotta handle up on his own. Can't depend on friends to help you in a squeeze, Please...they got problems of their own.

It is impossible to go as high as you are capable of going, if you are carrying the burden of hate, revenge and bitterness.