Elif Batuman Quotes
Quotes to Explore
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I don't mind being interviewed on television or radio.
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On my best days, such as when I was a junior in high school coming off a 42-point performance and near triple-double, my dad was there to tell me I haven't arrived yet and bring me back to reality.
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Humor's always been the problem of my work, hasn't it? When working, I feel satisfied when I surprise myself. And when I surprise myself, I wind up laughing.
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All of the songs my grandparents and parents listened to are called boleros - they're all love songs. They're about giving your heart to a person. It's a culture that is so romantic and passionate, and that's something that I'm very proud of. We grew up with nothing, so we just want to live a life full of love.
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As the possessor of complete knowledge, God is not mistaken about people's experiences as people are mistaken about each others' experiences.
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Suspicion and doubt lead to animosity and hatred.
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From Syria even to Rome I fight with wild beasts, by land and sea, by night and by day, being bound amidst ten leopards, even a company of soldiers, who only grow worse when they are kindly treated.
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I've been very clear. I won. I didn't commit the crime.
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I make hits.
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I've not sat with my agent going: 'Where is the next hopeless girl I can play?' They just come along.
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As women, we must speak out, speak up, say no to our inheritance of loss and yes to a future of women-led dialogue about women's rights and value.
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Most writers have no idea how to make a film. It's a totally different skill set. Nor is it just to translate exactly what's on the page directly on to the screen - because that would be terrible. It would be five hours long, and the structure would be a mess. But the writers know the characters and the story.
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I know enough about European politics to know you've got a lot of crazy people who make their way onto the ballot.
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Many children make up, or begin to make up, imaginary languages. I have been at it since I could write.
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You want your partner to objectify you.
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Look at the way sports, music and film have become driving forces of popular culture. Fashion is the fourth pillar.
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I kind of feel like people like to dump on 'Home Improvement,' and I don't know why.
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Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.
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I was blessed with a good character in 'Hollyoaks,' and I cut my teeth in 'Brookside' as well.
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A man who is convinced of the truth of his religion is indeed never tolerant. At the least, he is to feel pity for the adherent of another religion but usually it does not stop there. The faithful adherent of a religion will try first of all to convince those that believe in another religion and usually he goes on to hatred if he is not successful. However, hatred then leads to persecution when the might of the majority is behind it.
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'The Big Sleep' would have been a more effective study of nightmarish existence had the detective been more complicated and had more curiosity been shown about his sweetheart's relation to the crime.
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A lot of people are afraid to face themselves, especially when something goes wrong. But that's important, because if something happens within a relationship, it could be how you're allowing someone else to treat you.
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I knew not to give the best of myself to the worst of people.
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A lot of what I write is very personal.
