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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Interestingly, one thing I've found that neither women nor men give up on is the idea of men as protectors. Even in cases where the woman is earning more, they'll often tell me that if there were a fire or something, they would expect the man to be the one to protect them.
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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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I will not compromise on language or content. At 15, people can handle the same language as me, they're just as complicated as me and are very interested in thinking about important questions for the first time.
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Gone are the days when Virgin Records was owned by Richard Branson, a fan of music. Now they're all owned by some guy who bought it off some guy who bought it off some guy who wants a return on his investment.
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To strip yourself from a lot of the things around you that make you comfortable is a really challenging thing that most of us don't do or don't get a chance to do.
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May I kiss you then? On this miserable paper? I might as well open the window and kiss the night air.
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I have known heaven, and now I am in hell, and there are mimes.
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A lot of what I write is very personal.
