I. M. Pei Quotes
I know something about the civilization of China, with my background, obviously, and I think I know something about American history. But that's about all. And I've traveled all over the world, and for a long time I didn't know very much about it, really.
Quotes to Explore
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I drove long distances like the 24 hours of Le Mans for years. But even this racing is now over. I retired.
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History does nothing; it does not possess immense riches, it does not fight battles. It is men, real, living, who do all this.
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As a child I knew almost nothing, nothing beyond what I had picked up in my grandmother's house. All children, I suppose, come into the world like that, not knowing who they are.
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We live in a fast-paced culture where we're asked to make snap decisions all day long, so I suppose cash-point donations feed into the immediacy of our life experience. So it's a great idea. But I think it needs careful handling.
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There is not a right too long denied to which we do not aspire in order to achieve; there is not a wrong too long endured that we are not determined to abolish.
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I want to do everything in the world that can be done.
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In Montreal, I kept thinking, 'Pay attention: this is the Olympics! It only happens once every four years!'
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Only people have been through that miserable time will recall the pass from their deep memory.
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I wanted to travel with my dad to be close to him again. Having babies and raising my own family took so much of my time, I didn't have a chance to be with him very often.
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I think Star City should have Unesco World Heritage status. It will need to be adapted a little bit and made more glamorous than it looks now, but it should definitely be protected for the future.
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The Beijing Olympics represent China's grand entrance onto the world stage and confirmation of its new superpower status.
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I want simply to learn about the world and live freely.
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I'd always loved strings. When I was in high school and saw strings playing on stage, an orchestra or a symphony, all those bows moving at the same time... wow.
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In the long course of history, having people who understand your thought is much greater security than another submarine.
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I dated all these girls and ended up not liking them and thought to myself, 'What was it that all of them had in common?' They had too much time on their hands. Even though they were pretty, they lacked something. A woman could be less attractive but with ambition and drive, that's the most beautiful thing.
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I enjoy celebrating Valentine's Day. It's a nice way to say you're thinking about your family, someone special, or dear friends.
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When you're devoted to a greater freedom in the world, you're willing to compromise something you love.
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The nice thing about writing at home is that it's almost as though I'm doing it already. I get out of bed thinking of my work, and I don't have to go anywhere to do it.
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Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public.
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New York is the first place I have ever felt safe.
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Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation.
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Did it ever strike you on such a morning as this that drowning would be happiness and peace?
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The game has gone rather scrappy as both sides realise they could win this match or lose it.
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I know something about the civilization of China, with my background, obviously, and I think I know something about American history. But that's about all. And I've traveled all over the world, and for a long time I didn't know very much about it, really.
