Long before I had ever written a line for publication, or endeavored to deliver a speech in public, I followed the habit of reshaping my own character, by trying to imitate the nine men whose lives and life-works had been most impressive to me. These nine men were Emerson, Paine, Edison, Darwin, Lincoln, Burbank, Napoleon, Ford, and Carnegie. Every night, over a long period of years, I held an imaginary council meeting with this group whom I called my "Invisible Counselors.

Somebody once said, "Show me a man's friends and I will tell you about that man's character." We should love everybody and never neglect the poor or needy, but the people whom we allow to influence us really determine our future.

Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for it is better to be alone than in bad company.

Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company.

When I was preparing for this speech I asked my family for advice. One member replied, "There's a first time for everything, so try to be funny and brief."

A man is a method, a progressive arrangement; a selecting principle, gathering his like unto him wherever he goes. What you are comes to you.

Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.

If a man is known by the company he keeps, so also his character is reflected in the books he reads.

He sure is a crazy one," she said. "Sure reminds me of my husband that run away. Just exactly the same guy. I sure hope my Mickey don't grow up that way, they all do now.

Allen was "queer in those days, experimenting with himself to the hilt, and Neal saw that, and a former boyhood hustler himself in the Denver night, and wanting dearly to learn how to write poetry like Allen, the first thing you know he was attacking Allen with a great amorous soul such as only a conman can have.

I moved to New York in 1980, and I met Beth Henley, who's a marvellous playwright and who I have a real personal and professional association with, in 1982. I met her in a stalled elevator - we were the only two people in there - and she's been one of my very dearest friends since.

'Roc The Life' is a song I wrote with The Dream, who made 'Umbrella,' 'Single Ladies' and loads more.