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There is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents.

I've never felt entirely comfortable in high society. I'm more comfortable talking to the bar staff than the super-rich. I don't really get what makes them tick.

Men are more often bribed by their loyalties and ambitions than by money.

Fame can take interesting men and thrust mediocrity upon them.

Our demand for good looks, expressed in the biting comments that ensue when public figures fall short of perfection, puts enormous pressures on these individuals and may screen out the otherwise qualified. If video killed the radio star, it may also be doing away with the homely politician.

If you set the attractiveness bar really low, people have to compliment you on your looks when they meet you in person. I'm pretty much a genius. I'm actually applying to work at the Genius Bar based on this trick.

Men are more easily governed through their vices than through their virtues.

I always said that if I could just find a guy who could chop wood and had a nice smile, it wouldn't bother me if he was a thug or an aristocrat, as long as he was a good guy. And I've ended up with an educated thug.

I think the bar is higher these days in terms of audience expectations of authenticity.

Wise men make more opportunities than they find.