I had always resented sleep as an intrusion on my nocturnal self-pity - Oscar Levant

On Ira Gershwin:
I remember when he was given the manuscript of a novel written by a woman friend who had hopes of having it published. To his astonishment it turned out to be the dirtiest, most pornographic book he had ever read. When the lady mentioned that she intended to use a nom de plume, Ira suggested she call herself Henrietta Miller.

In some situations I was difficult, in odd moments impossible, in rare moments loathsome, but at my best unapproachably great.

I once said cynically of a politician, "He'll double-cross that bridge when he comes to it."