according to George W. Bush

"Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream."

LaCross, Wisconsin
October 18, 2000

Top 25 Notable Celebrity Quotes

Most celebrities are not known for their intellectual prowess, but they have provided words that wowed us, from insight or sheer audacity. The USA TODAY People staff picks some stunning sound bites from stars over the past 25 years.

USA TODAY reporting and writing by William Keck, Karen Thomas, Donna Freydkin, Andrea Mandell, Ann Oldenburg, Lorena Blas, Robyn Abzug and Susan O'Brian.

1 "There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded."

Princess Diana, in a 1995 BBC interview, on her marriage to Prince Charles. They divorced in 1996, and she died a year later. The third party, Camilla Parker Bowles, became Charles’ wife in 2005.

Louis Goldman, Handout

2 "I’m tough. I’m ambitious. And I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, OK.”

Madonna in People, July 27, 1992. It was a big year for her, with the movie A League of Their Own, her Sex book and her Erotica album.

3 “Why can’t you share your bed? The most loving thing to do is to share your bed with someone.”

Michael Jackson, defending his practice of letting boys share his bed in a Feb. 3, 2003, interview with BBC/Granada’s Martin Bashir. The interview led to molestation charges; Jackson was acquitted in June 2005.

Douglas Pizar, AP

4 “I can only tell you that it has been an honor and a privilege to come into your homes all these years and entertain you ... I bid you a very heartfelt goodnight.”

Johnny Carson, saying his final goodbye on The Tonight Show, May 22, 1992. The late-night legend died in January 2005.

5 “Well, I can wear heels now.”

Nicole Kidman to David Letterman on Aug. 2, 2001, after her split from Tom Cruise. Both have since remarried, he to actress Katie Holmes, and she to country singer Keith Urban.

Eric Draper, AP

6 “In the end, you have to come clean and say, ‘I did something dishonorable, shabby and goatish.’.”

Hugh Grant to Jay Leno on The Tonight Show, July 10, 1995, explaining his June arrest for lewd behavior with a Los Angeles prostitute. Grant pleaded no contest. Girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley stuck by him, but they split five years later. They remain friends.

7 “This town is a back-stabbing, scum-sucking, small-minded town, but thanks for the money.”

Roseanne Barr, in an ad she took out in The Hollywood Reporter for the magazine’s 60th anniversary in October 1990, two years after her sitcom Roseanne launched. The show ran until ’97.

8 “I never wanted to be the lesbian actress. I never wanted to be the spokesperson for the gay community. Ever. I did it for my own truth.”

Ellen DeGeneres in Time magazine, April 14, 1997, just before her Ellen sitcom character came out as gay, too.

Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

9 “This moment is so much bigger than me. This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It’s for the women that stand beside me ... And it’s for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened.”

Halle Berry, at the 2002 Oscars, in her best-actress acceptance for Monster’s Ball. She’s the first black woman to win the category.

Michel Euler, AP

10 “The heart wants what it wants. There’s no logic to those things. You meet someone and you fall in love and that’s that.”

Woody Allen in Time in 1992, about his relationship with Soon-Yi Previn, the daughter of former girlfriend Mia Farrow. Allen and Previn wed in ’97. The age gap: 35 years.

11 “Crack is cheap. I make too much money to ever smoke crack. Let’s get that straight. OK? We don’t do crack. We don’t do that. Crack is whack.”

Whitney Houston in 2002 on ABC’s Primetime. Houston has since been through rehab several times, and last year split from husband Bobby Brown. She has been working on a new album.

AP file

12 “Retire? I’m going to stay in show business until I’m the only one left.”

George Burns, at his 90th birthday tribute, George Burns 90th Birthday Special, taped Jan. 11, 1986. He died 10 years later.

13 “I’m too much of an erratic moody baby! I don’t have the passion anymore, and so remember, it’s better to burn out than to fade away.”

Kurt Cobain’s suicide note from April 5, 1994. The lead singer of Nirvana was 27.

Virginia Sherwood, NBC via AP

14 “Psychiatry is a pseudoscience. ... You don’t know the history of psychiatry. I do. ... Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt, you don’t even — you’re glib. You don’t even know what Ritalin is.”

Tom Cruise to Matt Lauer on NBC’s Today, June 24, 2005, one of several uninhibited expressions from the actor that summer.

15 “For an actor, there is no greater loss than the loss of his audience. I can part the Red Sea, but I can’t part with you, which is why I won’t exclude you from this stage in my life.”

Charlton Heston on Aug. 9, 2002, revealing he has Alzheimer’s. Heston has not made a TV or film appearance since 2003.

Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

16 “I’m in shock. And I’m so in love with my brother right now.”

Angelina Jolie, thanking brother James Haven while accepting the supporting actress Oscar for 1999’s Girl, Interrupted. Since then she has become Brad Pitt’s companion and an upstanding citizen of the world.

John Zich, USA TODAY

17 “I am sorry if anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction during the halftime of the Super Bowl. It was not intentional and is regrettable.”

Justin Timberlake, in a statement after the 2004 Super Bowl spectacle with Janet Jackson. His career is booming, hers has faltered.

Rose M. Prouser, AFP/Getty

18 “And if they want to hear that I’m dead, sorry, folks. I’m not. And I don’t plan on it.”

Elizabeth Taylor on Larry King Live, May 30, 2006, responding to rumors she was dying. She turned 75 in February.

19 “What are you looking at, sugar-tits?”

Mel Gibson, to female deputy last summer after being pulled over for speeding and drunken driving.

Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY

20 “That’s hot.”

Paris Hilton’s trademark, dating back at least to the first season of The Simple Life in 2003. She eventually had the expression copyrighted.

21 The jury “was not my class of people. There was not a producer, a press agent, a director, an actor.”

Zsa Zsa Gabor to People in October 1989, after a jury found her guilty of slapping a Beverly Hills cop.

22 “I just want one day off when I can go swimming and eat ice cream and look at rainbows.”

Mariah Carey on MTV’s TRL in 2001, before entering rehab for exhaustion. Glitter bombed that fall, but in 2005 she put out a Grammy-winning hit album.

Paul Moseley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram via AP

23 “The virginity issue. There are so many emotions involved that I would like to be able to wait until I know I’m with the right person and I’m married.”

Britney Spears in a 2002 interview with Britain’s Daily Star. She’s now 25, has married twice, split up twice (one annulment, one divorce) and has two kids.

24 “These people are not parenting. They are buying things for their kids — $500 sneakers for what? And won’t spend $200 for Hooked on Phonics.”

Bill Cosby, addressing a Washington, D.C., crowd in 2004.

25 “You only lie to two people in your life, your girlfriend and the police. Everybody else you tell the truth to.”

Jack Nicholson in the April 1994 issue of Vanity Fair. He’s now 70, and no doubt it’s still his motto.

Source: Compiled and written by William Keck, Karen Thomas, Donna Freydkin, Andrea Mandell, Ann Oldenburg, Lorena Blas, Robyn Abzug and Susan O’Brian. Photo research by Kevin Eans, USA TODAY.

Top 25 Most Memorable Quotes

Many things are said, and quoted, in 25 years. Some become catchphrases. Others we'd like to forget. And some words capture the essence of a news event, a phenomenom, or a time. USA TODAY reporters and editors came up with this list of our Top 25 most memorable quotes of the last 25 years.

1 "Let's roll."

Todd Beamer, Sept. 11, 2001, just before he and other passengers attacked terrorists controlling United Flight 93, which crashed in a Pennsylvania field. The White House may have been the target.

President Reagan speaks in front of the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin. By J. Scott Applewhite, AP

2 "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

President Reagan, June 12, 1987, appealing to the Soviet leader to remove the Berlin Wall that divided East and West German sectors. It fell in 1989.

Defense attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr. holds a pair of gloves at the O.J. Simpson trial. By Reed Saxon, AP

3 "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit."

Defense attorney Johnnie Cochran, Sept. 27, 1995, arguing that a glove used as murder evidence in the O.J. Simpson trial was too small.

President Clinton denies having had an improper relationship with Monica Lewinsky. By Greg Gibson, AP

4 "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky."

President Clinton, Jan. 26, 1998, at a White House news conference.

5 "You've got mail!"

America Online, 1989. The voice, which still greets users, is El Edwards, the husband of an AOL customer service representative.

6 "Read my lips: no new taxes."

George H.W. Bush, Aug. 18, 1988, accepting the GOP presidential nomination in New Orleans. A tax hike later in his presidency was a factor in his loss for re-election.

The space shuttle Challenger explodes after lifting off from Kennedy Space Center. By Bruce Weaver, AP

7 "Obviously a major malfunction."

Steve Nesbitt, NASA public affairs officer, Jan. 28, 1986, shortly after the space shuttle Challenger exploded.

8 "How do we know when irrational exuberance has unduly escalated asset values?"

Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, Dec. 5, 1996, interpreted as a warning that stocks were too high. Markets plunged briefly the next morning.

Actor Jack Nicholson as a Marine officer in A Few Good Men. By Sidney Baldwin, Castle Rock Entertainment

9 "You can't handle the truth!"

Actor Jack Nicholson as Col. Nathan Jessup in the 1992 film A Few Good Men.

Sen. Lloyd Bentsen and Sen. Dan Quayle after their vice presidential debate. By Ron Edmonds, AP

10 "I knew Jack Kennedy; Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."

Democratic vice presidential candidate Lloyd Bentsen, debating Republican Dan Quayle in Omaha on Oct. 5, 1988.

11 "Just say no."

Nancy Reagan's anti-drug campaign slogan, 1983.

Martha Stewart glares at Jayne Clayson on CBS' The Early Show.

12 "I want to focus on my salad."

Martha Stewart, June 25, 2002, on CBS' The Early Show, when questioned about the probe into her stock dealings.

13 "Which office do I go to to get my reputation back?"

Former Labor secretary Raymond Donovan, May 25, 1987, after being acquitted of fraud charges.

14 "Keep hope alive."

Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, July 19, 1988, in a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta.

President Bush with firefighter Bob Beckwith at the World Trade Center. By Doug Mills, AP

15 "I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon."

President Bush, Sept. 14, 2001, addressing police, firefighters and rescue workers at Ground Zero.

16 "My belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators."

Vice President Cheney, March 16, 2003, on NBC's Meet the Press, describing how Iraqis will react when U.S. troops topple Saddam Hussein.

17 "One more thing."

Apple CEO Steve Jobs, 1999. He uses the phrase before unveiling products such as the iMac and iPod at computer shows.

18 "Don't give up. Don't ever give up. "

Former North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano, March 4, 1993, accepting an ESPY Award shortly before he died of cancer.

19 "It takes a village to raise a child."

Hillary Rodham Clinton in her 1996 book, borrowing from an African proverb.

20 "I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl."

Russ Grimm, 1984, a Washington Redskin who ended his career as a player with three Super Bowl rings.

The Beastie Boys. By Danny Clinch

21 "You gotta fight for your right to party. "

The Beastie Boys, 1986, in the song Fight For Your Right.

Rodney King pleads for an end to rioting in Los Angeles. By David Longstreath, AP

22 "People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along?"

Rodney King, May 1, 1992, after the acquittal of Los Angeles police in his beating trial sparked widespread rioting.

The famous commercial by Cliff Freeman & Partners.

23 "Where's the beef?"

Wendy's TV commercial, 1984, later used by Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale to ridicule opponent Gary Hart.

24 "I can't deny the fact that you like me! Right now, you like me!"

Sally Field, March 25, 1985,. accepting the Best Actress Oscar for Places in the Heart.

25 "Not that there's anything wrong with that."

Jerry Seinfeld, Feb. 11, 1993, in the episode The Outing, later used whenever a gay character was discussed on the show.

25 memorable quotes

From USAToday:

Many things are said, and quoted, in 25 years. Some become catchphrases. Others we'd like to forget. And some words capture the essence of a news event, a phenomenom, or a time. USA TODAY reporters and editors came up with this list of our Top 25 most memorable quotes of the last 25 years.

1. "Let's roll."

Todd Beamer, Sept. 11, 2001, just before he and other passengers attacked terrorists controlling United Flight 93, which crashed in a Pennsylvania field. The White House may have been the target.

2. "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

President Reagan, June 12, 1987, appealing to the Soviet leader to remove the Berlin Wall that divided East and West German sectors. It fell in 1989.

3. "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit."

Defense attorney Johnnie Cochran, Sept. 27, 1995, arguing that a glove used as murder evidence in the O.J. Simpson trial was too small.

4. "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky."

President Clinton, Jan. 26, 1998, at a White House news conference.

5. "You've got mail!"

America Online, 1989. The voice, which still greets users, is El Edwards, the husband of an AOL customer service representative.

6. "Read my lips: no new taxes."

George H.W. Bush, Aug. 18, 1988, accepting the GOP presidential nomination in New Orleans. A tax hike later in his presidency was a factor in his loss for re-election.

7. "Obviously a major malfunction."

Steve Nesbitt, NASA public affairs officer, Jan. 28, 1986, shortly after the space shuttle Challenger exploded.

8. "How do we know when irrational exuberance has unduly escalated asset values?"

Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, Dec. 5, 1996, interpreted as a warning that stocks were too high. Markets plunged briefly the next morning

9. "You can't handle the truth!"

Actor Jack Nicholson as Col. Nathan Jessup in the 1992 film A Few Good Men.

10. "I knew Jack Kennedy; Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."

Democratic vice presidential candidate Lloyd Bentsen, debating Republican Dan Quayle in Omaha on Oct. 5, 1988.

11. "Just say no."

Nancy Reagan's anti-drug campaign slogan, 1983.

12. "I want to focus on my salad."

Martha Stewart, June 25, 2002, on CBS' The Early Show, when questioned about the probe into her stock dealings.

13. "Which office do I go to to get my reputation back?"

Former Labor secretary Raymond Donovan, May 25, 1987, after being acquitted of fraud charges.

14. "Keep hope alive."

Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, July 19, 1988, in a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta.

15. "I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon."

President Bush, Sept. 14, 2001, addressing police, firefighters and rescue workers at Ground Zero.

16. "My belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators."

Vice President Cheney, March 16, 2003, on NBC's Meet the Press, describing how Iraqis will react when U.S. troops topple Saddam Hussein.

17. "One more thing."

Apple CEO Steve Jobs, 1999. He uses the phrase before unveiling products such as the iMac and iPod at computer shows.

18. "Don't give up. Don't ever give up. "

Former North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano, March 4, 1993, accepting an ESPY Award shortly before he died of cancer.

19. "It takes a village to raise a child."

Hillary Rodham Clinton in her 1996 book, borrowing from an African proverb.

20. "I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl."

Russ Grimm, 1984, a Washington Redskin who ended his career as a player with three Super Bowl rings.

21. "You gotta fight for your right to party. "

The Beastie Boys, 1986, in the song Fight For Your Right.

22. "People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along?"

Rodney King, May 1, 1992, after the acquittal of Los Angeles police in his beating trial sparked widespread rioting.

23. "Where's the beef?"

Wendy's TV commercial, 1984, later used by Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale to ridicule opponent Gary Hart.

24. "I can't deny the fact that you like me! Right now, you like me!"

Sally Field, March 25, 1985,. accepting the Best Actress Oscar for Places in the Heart.

25. "Not that there's anything wrong with that."

Jerry Seinfeld, Feb. 11, 1993, in the episode The Outing, later used whenever a gay character was discussed on the show.

quotes on life and death

From Chasing Daylight: How My Forthcoming Death Transformed My Life, by Eugene O'Kelly.

For anything that men can tell, death may be
the greatest good that can happen to them:
but they fear it as if they know quite well
that is was the greatest of evils. And what is
this but that shameful ignorance of thinking
that we konw what we do not know?

• Socrates

I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

• Steven Wright
  

If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.

• Maria Edgeworth

May you live every day of your life.

• Jonathan Swift
  

"It is never good dwelling on good-byes," she said. "It is not the being together that it prolongs, it is the parting."

• Elizabeth Asquity Bibesco, "The Fir and the Palm"

There is no death! What seems so is transition;
this life of mortal breath
is but a suburb of the life Elysian,
whose portal we call Death.

• Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

a profound quote to remember

"Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace."

• Albert Schweitzer, philosopher, physician, and musician (Nobel Prize 1952)