Quotes from Maria Shriver

Don't think of him as a Republican. Think of him as the man I love, and if that doesn't work, think of him as the man who can crush you.

I think everybody has tragedy in their life. Everybody has hurdles in their life. Everybody has tough things to overcome. My kids say to me, 'This isn't fair.' I said, 'Life isn't fair.' Everybody has their issues. It's how you handle your issues that distinguishes you.

My definition of success? Being the kind of woman that I would want to have as a friend.

I don't believe in gutter politics. I don't believe in gutter journalism.

I was happy being a journalist. I didn't realize losing my job, my identity went with it.

I decided that I was going to be the Kennedy who makes her own name and finds her own job and works like a dog. My comeuppance was when Arnold got elected - I became the Kennedy who was married to the governor.

Poetry has always been made to seem kind of cultish. But the truth is, everybody really loves it! It's much more mainstream than anyone thought.

Women somehow get portrayed as one type. You're either a feminist or you're not. You're a working woman or you're not. I'm raising two girls, and I say to them, 'I need you to be strong and soft. You can be smart and beautiful... You can be all of these things.'

We all know what happens to first ladies who shoot their mouths off.

No matter who you are, what you've accomplished, what your financial situation is - when you're dealing with a parent with Alzheimer's, you yourself feel helpless. The parent can't work, can't live alone, and is totally dependent, like a toddler. As the disease unfolds, you don't know what to expect.

Motherhood: 24/7 on the frontlines of humanity. Are you man enough to try it?

I stand on the shoulders of women who marched before me.

The Shriver Report presents an accurate and detailed portrait of American women and families at this transformational moment in our history.

I appreciate your support, particularly this year, for sticking with me.

In this day and age it's really stupid to be stupid about financial matters. It doesn't do you any good to make money if you don't know what to do with it other than spend it.

Art is fundamental, unique to each of us...Even in difficult economic times - especially in difficult economic times, the arts are essential.

I thought I had to show people that I would get in early, stay late or even all night, work on holidays. I didn't want to be the rich kid who was along for a free ride.

My mother's death brought me to my knees. She was my hero, my role model, my very best friend. I spoke to her every single day of my life. I really tried hard when I grew up to make her proud of me.

Si hay luz en el alma, habrá belleza en la persona. Si hay belleza en la persona, habrá armonía en la casa. si hay armonía en la casa, habrá orden en la nación. Si hay orden en la nación, habrá paz en el mundo." Proverbio Chino.

I think that public service is tough on a family - no ifs, ands, buts about it. I have my own personal wishes, but they're not always front and center.

Part of what Special Olympics is trying to do is break down stereotypes that still exist for people. There is still a lot of fear.

Well-behaved women never make history.

Part of what Special Olympics is trying to do is break down stereotypes that still exist for people. There is still a lot of fear.

When the world is so complicated, the simple gift of friendship is within all of our hands.