Diana Ross is a big inspiration to all of us. We all grew up watching everything about her – her mike placement, her grace, her style and her class.

Most of us have far more courage than we ever dreamed we possessed.

There should be a point to movies. Sure, you’re giving people a diversion from the cold world for a bit, but at the same time, you pass on some facts and rules and maybe a little bit of wisdom.

Everything is funny, as long as it’s happening to somebody else.

The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave.

Do not quench your inspiration and your imagination; do not become the slave of your model.

You have to dream intentionally. Most people dream a dream when they are asleep. But to be a writer, you have to dream while you are awake, intentionally.

Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets; art deserves that, for it and knowledge can raise man to the Divine.

The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been.

Growing up I didn’t watch movies.

If we go on your iPhone and go to the dictionary and look up ‚humble,‘ 80 per cent of the definition is negative. It’s a controlling word. It’s a way to control the masses and to control the sheep.

Our moments of inspiration are not lost though we have no particular poem to show for them; for those experiences have left an indelible impression, and we are ever and anon reminded of them.

I love WWE, and I love that platform. There is no other platform in the world that gives me that instant gratification. There is just no other platform.

Leadership is influence.

So live with men as if God saw you and speak to God, as if men heard you.

God’s Spirit moves through us and the world at a pace that can never be constricted by any one religious paradigm. I love that.

When younger writers and poets, musicians and painters are weakened by a stemming of funds, they come to me saddened, not as full of dreams and excitement and ideas. I am then weakened and diminished, and made less rich.

There are massive efforts on the part of the internet’s corporate owners to try to direct it to become a technique of marginalisation and control.

But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.

Moral authority is never retained by any attempt to hold on to it. It comes without seeking and is retained without effort.

Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.

Malcolm X was the first political person in this country that I really identified with. If he had lived and not been purged, I probably would have joined the Muslims.

For me to talk with Obama and the conversation I had with him, I was letting him know that me and my fans have a special connection, and it’s love, and I believe that love is the answer.

All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.

The Bible says to ‚fear not,‘ but this doesn’t mean you should never feel scared. It means when you do feel fear, keep going forward and do what you are supposed to do. Or as I like to say, do it afraid.

We must rekindle the fire of idealism in our society.

If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.

I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled poets to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all their sublime messages without knowing in the least what they mean.

Everybody has a purpose.

If it weren’t for the Beatles, I would not be a musician.

People ask me where I got my singing style. I didn’t copy my style from anybody.

Scripture is filled with examples of men and women whom God used late in life, often with great impact – men and women who refused to use old age as an excuse to ignore what God wanted them to do.

I’m not a big believer in trying to jam stuff down somebody’s throat: ‚You’re going to do it my way.‘ I’d rather show by example and live my life and have people say, ‚You know what, I want to live like Joel has. He’s got peace and joy, and he seems content.‘

That little Miley Cyrus… she’s like a little Elvis. The kids love her because she’s Hannah Montana, but what people don’t realize about her is she is such a fantastic singer and songwriter. She writes songs like she’s 40 years old!

When I was 8 years old, I saw ‚Raiders of the Lost Ark‘ in Charlotte, North Carolina. I walked out of there and was so inspired. I loved the movie, and I knew I wanted to be that guy.

And I try to give the best bang for the buck. I love performing more than anything else.

O! for a muse of fire, that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention.

I’d rather learn from one bird how to sing than teach 10,000 stars how not to dance.

There’s hope for everyone. That’s what makes the world go round.

When you say ‚follow me on Twitter,‘ and you get 10 million people to follow you – you just leveraged your influence to add value to an app that you have no ownership in.

The men I idolized built their bodies and became somebody – like Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger – and I thought, ‚That can be me.‘ So I started working out. The funny thing is I didn’t realize back then that I was having a defining moment.

Everybody born comes from the Creator trailing wisps of glory. We come from the Creator with creativity. I think that each one of us is born with creativity.

When I went back to my old high school, all these kids looking at me like I’m the real big homie, the same way I look at Jay Z, Nas, or Dr. Dre. You would’ve thought Michael Jackson walked through that joint off the excitement that they had.

Kids end up seeing my movies anyway but some of the mothers get mad at me so I figured I’d make one that I can’t get yelled at for.

If I’m inspired to make a certain kind of song, I’m going to make that kind of song, no matter if it’s what they know me as or think I am.

Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life.

Football games are on TV, and it doesn’t affect stadium attendance at all. It’s the same with movies. People who really love movies and like to go out on a Saturday night will go to the movie theater.

If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.

I do probably 60 concerts a year in the States. And I go out to clubs in the week. I’m doing new stuff all the time.

‚The Simpsons‘ appearances were great fun. But I don’t take them too seriously. I think ‚The Simpsons‘ have treated my disability responsibly.

To be great is to be misunderstood.

Dreaming about being an actress, is more exciting then being one.

People respond when you tell them there is a great future in front of you, you can leave your past behind.

Many people listen to what I have to say and I appear a lot in media, so therefore I influence a lot of people and therefore I have a bigger responsibility because I have a bigger platform.

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.

Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.

No pressure, no diamonds.

Strong emotions such as passion and bliss are indications that you’re connected to Spirit, or ‚inspired,‘ if you will. When you’re inspired, you activate dormant forces, and the abundance you seek in any form comes streaming into your life.

When I am working on a book or a story, I write every morning as soon after first light as possible. There is no one to disturb you, and it is cool or cold, and you come to your work and warm as you write.

Because of a great love, one is courageous.

Poetry is a way of taking life by the throat.