A person with taste is merely one who can recognize the greatest beauty in the simplest things.

Life always gets harder towards the summit - the cold increases, responsibility increases

We are each the authors of our own lives, Emma. We live in what we have created. There is no way to shift the blame and no one else to accept the accolades.

I am a huge admirer of Elizabeth I, and this intriguing biography gives a wonderful picture of the era.

In my opinion, moderation is a vastly overrated virtue, particularly when applied to work

Elizabeth was counting on Marco to keep cousin Mary occupied until after the board meeting was over. A piece of cheese might catch a mouse, but an afternoon alone with a muscular masseur would ensnare her cousin far more effectively. And afterwards, while Mary lay sated and sleeping upon a massage table, wiser heads could determine the company's future. There were times, Elizabeth thought, when success in business demanded utter ruthlessness.

When you are a strong woman, you will attract trouble. When a man feels threatened, there is always trouble.