This is a work of fiction. All the characters in it human and otherwise are imaginary excepting only certain of the fairy folk whom it might be unwise to offend by casting doubts on their existence. Or lack thereof.

People don't understand that when I grew up I was never the most talented. I was never the biggest. I was never the fastest. I certainly was never the strongest. The only thing I had was my work ethic and that's been what has gotten me this far.

Of all the things I've done the most vital is coordinating those who work with me and aiming their efforts at a certain goal.

People might not get all they work for in this world but they must certainly work for all they get.

Girls are infinitely more complicated than boys and women more than men. And there's no doubt about that. We just don't like to think about it. Certainly the men don't like to think about it.

You know men and women are a lot alike in certain situations. Like when they're both on fire - they're exactly alike.

Working moms commonly testify that they feel guilty when they are away from their children and guilty when they are not at their jobs. Devoted fathers certainly miss their children deeply but it does not seem to be with the same gnawing primal anxiety that often afflicts women.

There are certainly not so many men of large fortune in the world as there are pretty women to deserve them.

There's a certain kind of behavior in the Arab world that to me resembles the way young men behave when there is no significant influence from women in their lives.

The only people you can really share certain things with in secret are your girlfriends.