[Optimism] acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Unlike diamonds, watches were practical. They were for people on the run, people with appointments to keep and schedules to meet.

Confidence doesn't come from thinking you're perfect or flawless. That's arrogance. Confidence comes from appreciating the beauty of your texture.

You have to find the redeeming quality and love the person for that.

One of the many lessons I hope I've learned is how much I underestimated people, their open-mindedness and their willingness to understand. I think, moreover, I underestimated the degree to which everyone has a story. So my advice, for whatever it's worth, is to trust readers, trust the truth and trust the power of storytelling.

Life there was hard and it made people hard.

New Yorkers, I figured, just pretended to be unfriendly.