“Only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.”

“The greatness comes not when things go always good for you. But the greatness comes when you're really tested, when you take some knocks, some disappointments, when sadness comes. Because only if you've been in the deepest valley can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.”

“So you are lean and mean and resourceful and you continue to walk on the edge of the precipice because over the years you have become fascinated by how close you can walk without losing your balance.”

“If you want to make beautiful music,you must play the black note and the white notes together”

“To write a novel, you need an iron butt.”

“I can take it. The tougher it gets, the cooler I get.”

“I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”