My trade and my art is living.

Whatever fortune — or misfortune — comes
Is mine, and only mine. In short, though I
Am no huge elm or oak-tree, yet I scorn
To be the parasitic ivy. I will climb
Slowly, uncertainly, and so perhaps
To no great height. But I will climb alone.

Why I’m telling you this is because that’s where this music comes from, that’s where my art comes from. You’re talking to a miracle; I am a miracle. I’m not halfway there, you know, dut-dut-dut-dut-da, drink a beer, hang out with my buddies, smoke a joint and get together with the band, wanna be a rock star; no. I am a very troubled individual who has been handed these obstacles in life, and overcome my fears to be honest with myself, so I can be honest with you. That’s not exploitation, it’s liberation.

We make our own luck. And it’s my responsibility to see it’s good and not bad.

Doing good,
Disinterested good, is not our trade.

I don't do it for the money. I've got enough, much more than I'll ever need. I do it to do it. Deals are my art form. Other people paint beautifully on canvas or write wonderful poetry. I like making deals, preferably big deals. That's how I get my kicks.

I’m just saying, I guess, that I got very lucky. And luck is not a business model.

Meine Leiden sind das Werk der Natur, mein Glück aber ist mein Werk. Was man auch sagen mag, ich bin weise gewesen, denn ich bin glücklich gewesen, sosehr meine Natur es mir zu sein erlaubte.

As a matter of fact I trade in accordance to my means and always leave myself an ample margin of safety.

Showbiz is a job. I never take it too seriously. I work hard, but I never pretend it’s life or death. I’m just incredibly lucky.

My hands are small, I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken