There is no personal achievement in being born beautiful.

When science art literature and philosophy are simply the manifestation of personality they are on a level where glorious and dazzling achievements are possible which can make a man's name live for thousands of years.

Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art.

It is no great art to say something briefly when like Tacitus one has something to say when one has nothing to say however and none the less writes a whole book and makes truth into a liar - that I call an achievement.

I think the fact that I made enough noise in the world that I might be remembered is an amazing achievement. You can't ask for more than that.

I stood for parliament with the amazing support and help of my ex-husband but it's not something that was handed to me like a peerage. I worked hard and was elected. So my achievements such as they are are my own.

Receiving the Newcombe Medal for a third year in a row is an amazing honour. The Newcombe Medal is a great occasion for the Australian tennis community to come together and celebrate our sport recognise people's achievements and contributions to Australian tennis.

Tell me why is the media here so negative? Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognise our own strengths our achievements? We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?

I think that in itself is kind of an amazing achievement to be able to say that your full-time career is in any creative arts let alone a show that has kept people interested for coming on four seasons and hopefully more.

But no nation can base its survival and development on luck and prayers alone while its leadership fritters away every available opportunity for success and concrete achievement.