Quotes from Edward Koch

Stereotypes lose their power when the world is found to be more complex than the stereotype would suggest. When we learn that individuals do not fit the group stereotype, then it begins to fall apart.

The fireworks begin today. Each diploma is a lighted match. Each one of you is a fuse.

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

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

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 you don't like me, 90 cents.

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

There was always a love-hate relationship with New York in the rest of the country, but I made them feel more love than hate.

If you listen to Giuliani, it's like nobody did anything to improve the city except him. I'm not part of the history. Bloomberg's not part of the history. It's like, he did it. He's the only one. That's why he's a little crazy.

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.

I don't believe that in our society that we should have guns.

No, I am not a homosexual. If I were a homosexual, I would hope I would have the courage to say so. What's cruel is that you are forcing me to say I am not a homosexual. This means you are putting homosexuals down. I don't want to do that.

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

I was not afraid of the press or the militants. It was uncomfortable, but I was not afraid. With respect to the press, I knew I knew more than they knew about city matters. With respect to the militants, I understood it. I mean, everybody believed in those days that they were being screwed, you know, that somebody was getting ahead of them.

I was drafted into the Army when I was 19 and came out at age 22. Most people that I knew didn't think they'd come home alive. I didn't think I would either, so I was happy when I did.

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

There's a nastiness out there that wants to harm me with words. These are my enemies - the ideologues, the populists, the columnists who don't like the fact that I take them on toe-to-toe. What I try to do is tell the truth. It's not the coin of the realm in politics.

Citizens, thank you for all your birthday wishes. I am 88 years old today and still lucky to live in the greatest city in the world.

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

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.

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

The fireworks begin today. Each diploma is a lighted match. Each one of you is a fuse.