Some people work hard in this business and become really popular really big stars but they never receive an award from within the business. Somehow when your colleagues and friends believe in you to the point of handing you an award it means so much more.

The whole point of being in this business and being blessed and being successful is that you're able to do things for your friends or your family which means that they can have something special in their lives too.

The stores and the things like that the business side of things came out at the point when I'd say probably in the early '70s it looked like the year of the singer-songwriter was over 'cause music changed in our time and the spotlight was out.

I think the fact that I was raised in show business in New York City in the '50s that's affected my personality to the point that I'm a little different.

I want to tell my jokes. I want to have time with my children. I want to entertain people. And at one point I'll walk away from show business. But I don't want to walk away empty-handed.

When I was building the Vietnam Memorial I never once asked the veterans what it was like in the war because from my point of view you don't pry into other people's business.

Dear never forget one little point. It's my business. You just work here.

For many my behavior has been a major disappointment my behavior has caused considerable worry to my business partners and everyone involved in my business but most importantly to the young people we influence I apologize.

If we get our self-esteem from superficial places from our popularity appearance business success financial situation health any of these we will be disappointed because no one can guarantee that we'll have them tomorrow.

The turning point was when I hit my 30th birthday. I thought if really want to write it's time to start. I picked up the book How to Write a Novel in 90 Days. The author said to just write three pages a day and I figured I can do this. I never got past Page 3 of that book.

Since graduation I have measured time in 4-by-5-inch pieces of paper four days on the left and three on the right. Every social engagement interview reading flight doctor's appointment birthday and dry-cleaning reminder has been handwritten between metal loops.

My ace in the hole as a human being used to be my capacity for remembering birthdays. I worked at it. Whenever I made a new friend I made a point of finding out his or her birthday early on and I would record it in my Filofax calendar.

I quit high school on my birthday. It was my senior year and I didn't see the point. This was 1962 and I was ready to make music.

At some point I would like to write a book and other things but I work best when there is some sort of deadline in my own mind but not when fifty people or fifty million people are breathing down the back of my neck.

One must not make oneself cheap here - that is a cardinal point - or else one is done. Whoever is most impertinent has the best chance.

He is the best sailor who can steer within fewest points of the wind and exact a motive power out of the greatest obstacles.

The best security for civilization is the dwelling and upon properly appointed and becoming dwellings depends more than anything else the improvement of mankind.