I've had the greatest respect for my work in this country by Americans. Critics have no brains.

There are so many things to think about when you make an album. Like who am I trying to impress? Am I going to get respect critical acclaim? Or am I going to sell lots of records?

More than in any other performing arts the lack of respect for acting seems to spring from the fact that every layman considers himself a valid critic.

Too many younger artists critics and curators are fetishizing the sixties transforming the period into a deformed cult a fantasy religion a hip brand and a crippling disease.

My relationship with the journalists who covered the campaign was complicated. I often hid from the critical eye of their cameras and their omnipresent digital recorders wary of the critique implicit in every captured moment. But I also grew to respect and understand their passion for their work their love for the journey we were sharing.

Afghanistan is going to be here a long time and what's critical is that Afghanistan's relationship with its neighbors are to the maximum extent they can be constructive and operationally useful.

The relationship between the public and the artist is complex and difficult to explain. There is a fine line between using this critical energy creatively and pandering to it.

Most critical writing is drivel and half of it is dishonest. It is a short cut to oblivion anyway. Thinking in terms of ideas destroys the power to think in terms of emotions and sensations.

Ironically women who acquire power are more likely to be criticized for it than are the men who have always had it.

America has a critical role to play as the most powerful member of the world community.