Leo Tolstoy

Seize the moments of happiness, love and be loved! That is the only reality in the world, all else is folly. It is the one thing we are interested in here.

I wanted movement and not a calm course of existence. I wanted excitement and danger and the chance to sacrifice myself for my love.

Something magical has happened to me: like a dream when one feels frightened and creepy, and suddenly wakes up to the knowledge that no such terrors exist. I have wakened up.

Instead of going to Paris to attend lectures, go to the public library, and you won’t come out for twenty years, if you really wish to learn.

How can one be well…when one suffers morally?

I often think that men don’t understand what is noble and what is ignorant, though they always talk about it.

Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there.

I met with my lawyers. They gave me all the wrong advice. For a long time I refused to accept the child was mine. I should have met her, arranged a DNA test and accepted my responsibility.

The times when Barack and I are at our most relaxed are when we invite some friends over who we have known forever. And you put a little music on top of that? Some good food? It renews your spirit to get back in the game.

I learned in those eight years is that home is where you make it, and we were in the White House for eight years, but it wasn’t the house. It was us in it. It was our value and our love for each other.

A few years after my first son was born, he wanted to know how we chose his name, so I began reading him the story of Noah’s Ark.

I guess my parents were strict. There were a few times when being with my friends and had bring my sister. It was just my parents best interests.

I’m going to let people know that it’s cool to have a child and be young and still be a good mom. It’s really tough, but I’m doing it.

Maybe that’s all that family really is, a group of people who all miss the same imaginary place.

Once I became a mother I knew that I was strong, but not ready to do what I’m doing now

Your children can be around you all day, but if you don’t spend quality time with them and you don’t pay attention to them and talk to them and listen to them, it doesn’t matter that they’re just around you.

I am lucky because my family are comfortably off. My father has his own glass business.

They say that no matter how old you become, when you are with your siblings, you revert back to childhood.

A sibling represents a person’s past, present, and future.

Always remember your kid’s name. Always remember where you put your kid. Don’t let your kid drive until their feet can reach the pedals. Use the right size diapers … for yourself. And, when in doubt, make funny faces.

I tell my children now that they are older, ‘If something happens to me… don’t make no big fuss over me. Don’t make no big expense on my funeral. Don’t put any pressure on the rest of the family. I’ve loved everybody, and I hope they loved me. But don’t create this big expense for the family.’