I was up watching Meet Joe Black at four AM. I was hoping Brad Pitt would die and he was still alive at seven forty in the morning! I actually felt sorry for once for critics.

What I couldn't help noticing was that I learned more about the novel in a morning by trying to write a page of one than I'd learned in seven years or so of trying to write criticism.

Early in the morning I fell in love with the girl that later on became my wife. At that time we were so naive. I wanted to charm her so I read her Capital by Marx. I thought somehow she would be convinced by the strength of his criticism about capital.

There are two kinds of power you have to fight. The first is the money and that's just our system. The other is the people close around you knowing when to accept their criticism knowing when to say no.

The money can be a hindrance to someone like me because the danger is that you start thinking 'Is that a $20 million take?' That kind of thing and being self-critical.

My mother and my grandmother are pioneers of Mexican cuisine in this country so I grew up in the kitchen. My mom Zarela Martinez was by far my biggest influence and inspiration - and toughest critic.

I found out that colonels can stay until they drop dead or get a walker and being a critical medical specialty as an Army trained emergency room doctor I could stay until age 67.

Civil and political rights are critical but not often the real problem for the destitute sick. My patients in Haiti can now vote but they can't get medical care or clean water.

The critical period of matrimony is breakfast-time.

In marriage there are no manners to keep up and beneath the wildest accusations no real criticism. Each is familiar with that ancient child in the other who may erupt again. We are not ridiculous to ourselves. We are ageless. That is the luxury of the wedding ring.

If you want to sacrifice the admiration of many men for the criticism of one go ahead get married.

I love America more than any other country in this world and exactly for this reason I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.

Flatter me and I may not believe you. Criticize me and I may not like you. Ignore me and I may not forgive you. Encourage me and I will not forget you. Love me and I may be forced to love you.

When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.

Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others.

In my book I detail the critical information we obtained from al Qaeda terrorists after they became compliant following a short period of enhanced interrogation. I have no doubt that that interrogation was legal necessary and saved lives.

Productivity is going to be a critical issue. And it's not just about getting more time for professors in the classroom. It involves reexamining the learning experience and restructuring faculty and the use of faculty time.

Directors who turn into big babies and shut out criticism stop learning.

Few are there that will leave the secure seclusion of the scholar's life the peaceful walks of literature and learning to stand out a target for the criticism of unkind and hostile minds.

I think Mr. Clarke had a tendency to interfere too much with the activities of the CIA and our leadership at the senior level let him interfere too much. So criticism from him I kind of wear as a badge of honor.

I think most Americans understand that we went through a period in which American leadership was judged quite critically internationally.

In our system leadership is by consent not command. To lead a President must persuade. Personal contacts and experiences help shape his thinking. They can be critical to his persuasiveness and thus to his leadership.

I do think we know that a teacher who knows what he or she is doing knows their subject matter and knows how to impart knowledge to kids is a critical piece of closing the achievement gap.

As this body of knowledge has evolved a much more critical job for researchers and scientists has evolved into explaining and educating policy makers and the public to the risks of global warming and the possible consequences of action or of no action.