“For most of my life I've been a listener. At least in the beginning, I think the reason I listened so intently was to have a chance of hearing the train before it ran over me.”

“I've been told my whole life that I've got all the power. But it's only now that I'm beginning to believe it. My days of selling junk food and perfume are over. If the world is going to listen to me, I better start saying things that are worth hearing.”

“I think maybe the reason I have spent most of my life being afraid is that I have been trying to prepare myself to train my body for real fear when it comes. But I am not prepared.”

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”

“And in my classes, I will talk most of the time, and you will listen most of the time. Because you may be smart, but I've been smart longer.”

“If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.”