If I traveled to the end of the rainbow as Dame Fortune did intend, Murphy would be there to tell me the pot’s at the other end.

The person who is bent on killing you will follow you wherever you are.

I was born at the age of twelve on a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lot.

In a neighborhood, as in life, a clean bandage is much, much better than a raw or festering wound.

I know many writers who first dictate passages, then polish what they have dictated. I speak, then I polish – occasionally I do windows.

I’m not the type to get ulcers. I give them.

In action be primitive; in foresight, a strategist.

We’re in the hands of the state legislature and God, but at the moment, the state legislature has more to say than God.

The art of creation is older than the art of killing.

I’m not an author, but before I became mayor, I wasn’t a mayor.

If they don’t want to pay for it, they can stop drinking it.

Tone can be as important as text.

Water, water, everywhere, Atlantic and Pacific. But New York City’s got them beat, Our aqua is terrific!

The mere process of growing old together will make the slightest acquaintance seem a bosom friend.

The best way to lose weight is to close your mouth – something very difficult for a politician. Or watch your food – just watch it, don’t eat it.

If you seek violence, we will seek to put you in jail.

If you don’t like the President, it costs you 90 bucks to fly to Washington to picket. If you don’t like the Governor, it costs you 60 bucks to fly to Albany to picket. If...

They have given me the imprimatur of a serious writer, which I knew I was but could not claim publicly until they gave it to me.

The most guileful amongst the reporters are those who appear friendly and smile and seem to be supportive. They are the ones who will seek to gut you on every occasion.

If you turn your back on these people, you yourself are an animal. You may be a well-dressed animal, but you are nevertheless an animal.

You punch me, I punch back. I do not believe it’s good for ones self-respect to be a punching bag.

When all are wrong, everyone is right.

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.

You don’t have to love them. You just have to respect their rights.