The American free market system is the greatest engine for prosperity and opportunity that the world has ever seen. Freedom works.

What is the essence of America? Finding and maintaining that perfect, delicate balance between freedom 'to' and freedom 'from.'

To me, that's what music entails. It's freedom, it's having the undeniable confidence to express yourself in a way that you know is right.

Even before I knew I was gay, I knew I didn't want to have a child. I knew I didn't want to have one. I never want to have to release it from me. Listen, I love babies. I love children. And I melt when I'm around them. I also love my freedom and I love that I can sleep at night.

Cannes or Oscars is not only to bring happiness and recognition - they protect people like me. The world knows who you are. You can work. You can express. You can help other people. It's not only the star system. It's a symbol of freedom.

Being offended by freedom of speech should never be regarded as a justification for violence.

Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself.

If social stability goes pear-shaped, you have a choice between anarchy and dictatorship. Most people will opt for more security, even if they have to give up some personal freedom.

The old Romans all wished to have a king over them because they had not yet tasted the sweetness of freedom.

The Arab Spring is a true phenomenon. Embrace Arab Spring; embrace the aspiration for freedom of the people of Egypt, Syria, and Yemen.

We will not fail your expectations of us as a new nation dedicated to peace, democracy, and freedom.

The true exercise of freedom is - cannily and wisely and with grace - to move inside what space confines - and not seek to know what lies beyond and cannot be touched or tasted.

Our two nations share the important values of democracy and freedom and liberty. My visit to the United States has indeed reinforced this mutual conviction and determination to ensure that our two peoples cherish these values.

The road to freedom lies not through mysteries or occult performances, but through the intelligent use of natural forces and laws.

I think if we get freedom for women, then they are probably going to do a lot of things that I wish they wouldn't do. But it seems to me that isn't our business to say what they should do with it. It is our business to see that they get it.

Our culture is just a series of checks and balances. The whole idea that we're in a battle between tyranny and freedom - it's a series of pendulum swings.

I made, over the years in Cambridge, several very good American friends, and America appeared to me, a land of promise in every sense of that word, a land of freedom from the inhibitions and restrictions that I felt in England.

Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. This is why any authentic creation is a gift to the future.

With paper printed books, you have certain freedoms. You can acquire the book anonymously by paying cash, which is the way I always buy books. I never use a credit card. I don't identify to any database when I buy books. Amazon takes away that freedom.

Conformity is painful. You know, it's too tight. Conformity leads to rebellion. So a desire for happiness is in direct conflict with a desire for freedom.

I fight, and have fought, for political freedom, for justice and for fairness and freedom of speech.

The flag is a symbol of our freedom, and burning it absolutely is one of the least patriotic things that a person could possibly do. I say 'one of the least' because I can think of a few things that would actually be less so - and, as a matter of fact, I think that banning flag-burning would absolutely be on that list.

For your own self-respect and sanity, your creative freedom, you have to be careful that you don't rely too much on other people's opinions of what you do because it can stunt and inhibit you.

Wherever there are communities fighting for freedom and liberation, there are serious tensions.