Like Shakespeare, I too am often occupied with the pursuit of my creative endeavors and dealing with all aspects of life's mundane matters. "Who are the best musicians for these songs?" "Am I recording in the right studio?" "Is this song in the right key?" Some things never change, even in 400 years. Not once have I ever had the time to ask myself, "Are my songs literature?" So, I do thank the Swedish Academy, both for taking the time to consider that very question, and, ultimately, for providing such a wonderful answer.

People of accomplishments rarely sit back and let things happen to them. They go out and happen to things.

My most splendid campaign was that of March 20; not a single shot was fired.

He only moves toward the perfection of his art whose criticism surpasses his achievement.

How many seemingly impossible things have been accomplished by resolute men because they had to do, or die.

A wise Government seeks to provide the opportunity through which the best of individual achievement can be obtained, while at the same time it seeks to remove such obstruction, such unfairness as springs from selfish human motives.