Katie Couric Quotations

I beg. I call. I badger. I cajole. Part of the secret is everyone has fun and thats really motivating.

I think sometimes people project things on you, but I'm trying to handle everything that's happened to me with a certain amount of grace, dignity and good manners. You just can't necessarily win all the time.

You can't please everyone, and you can't make everyone like you.

And they like being able to turn on the television day in and day out to see someone that they know and they feel comfortable with and trust hopefully and respect even.

I feel like a human pinata. The disappointing thing is, no candy is going to spill out.

If I hear the word 'perky' again, I'll puke.

I've always tried to stay true to my authentic self.

And I've always - the competition is one aspect of the job, but I think if you're too busy worrying about the competition, you don't focus enough on what you're doing.

That studies have shown that more people are getting up earlier, they're getting their news earlier. They're getting less sleep, getting up at earlier hours.

Sometimes I think change is a good thing.

At least for me personally, I've always tried to do a really good job every day, with each interview, and treat each interview seriously, and make the person I'm speaking with feel comfortable, hopefully make it an ideal experience.

They see us interacting with people, they see us doing serious interviews, they see us having fun, and when you're conversing with someone, you get a much clearer impression of who that person is than if they are just reading into a news piece.

I could announce one morning that the world was going to blow up in three hours and people would be calling in about my hair!

He was always sort of a scrappy little kid wasn't he? A bit of a fighter?

He would take the blow so you didn't have to.

You see, that's the problem I have with "you people.

Now, if they're there to talk about something specifically, and I determine through my own editorial judgment, that another area isn't germane, or isn't an important part of it, that's something else. But we never agree to anything in advance, absolutely not.

So I don't really focus too much on that, and I think it's dangerous if your goal in life is to get the other guy, then you're not going to be doing a really quality job yourself.

You know, you've got serious pieces, you've got light pieces, you've got cooking segments, you've got health-related topics, so it's not as if they've had a unique personality from the get-go.

All three networks have always had a morning show but now cable of course is taking some of that audience away and a variety of other things, probably the Internet as well.

A lot people I know - it drives them crazy when they're watching, to see the people with their signs and waving, but there's something that's very inclusive about it.

I don't know the vast majority of you personally, and it may sound kind of corny, but I really feel as if we've become friends through the years. And you've been with me during a lot of good times and some very difficult ones. I can't tell you how grateful I am.

But of course when people watch morning television, Terry, it's a very different animal. You know, they're running around, they're getting their kids ready for school, they're probably doing eight million things, they're brushing their teeth.

I know there's a great deal of speculation, and while I appreciate the interest, kind of, my contract ends in May and I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do. I'm fortunate to have a couple of opportunities to think long and hard about.

But, you know, they don't enjoy the dinner hour together. It's just not as much of a ritual at night and it's interesting. I think the ritual is taking place perhaps more in the morning.

When you thought about getting married, was there a particular dress you had in mind?

Wake up with Diane instead. Katie has fallen victim to her stylists.

Many White House photo-ops are staged events, but did the most recent one go too far? President Bush held a video conference on Thursday with U.S. troops in Iraq. But some eyebrows were raised by what came over the satellite beforehand: A Pentagon aide rehearsing the soldiers' answers. We'll have more on that just ahead.

Meanwhile you cover the White House. I'm just curious what has the atmosphere been like since Katrina?

I would hate to have that sort of like tabloid aspect of it or the relationship or anything overshadow, you know, what I think is really Kevin's best movie -- and probably mine, too,

But first this is the President's seventh, seventh trip to the hurricane zone and the former oilman is getting a real firsthand look at the devastation that's there.

I can tell you with complete honesty that my relationship with Matt hasn't changed at all. We like and care about each other.

He'd be thrilled. He loved a good party.

I think that good programming serves us all well. It gives people more choices. It makes us all try harder. And the competitive juices start flowing.

I think you get to know the people on the shows better than you do in any other format, because the audience sees us in so many different situations.

Joining CBS is a unique opportunity that came at the right time for me. I'm thrilled to become part of the rich tradition of CBS News.

Yeah I've heard so many great things about it. I went to see it on Saturday but it was sold out. So...

I've always tried to stay true to my authentic self. I think sometimes people project things on you, but I'm trying to handle everything that's happened to me with a certain amount of grace, dignity and good manners. You just can't necessarily win all the time.

Sometimes you give money and you never quite know where it goes to, but in this case you really see what you've done, and it's a great sense of accomplishment,

Sometimes I think change is a good thing. Although it may be terrifying to get out of your comfort zone, it's also very exciting to start a new chapter in your life.

After listening to my heart and my gut, two things that have served me pretty well in the past, I've decided I'll be leaving 'Today' at the end of May. ... It may sound kind of corny but I really feel that we've become friends through the years.

There's been a lot of things out there; I don't know where people are getting them, but I wanted to let you all know that so we didn't have to play games with this call, because there's really nothing to announce and nothing to report.

The morning is an extremely lucrative time slot for network television and of course, if it's making money, everybody wants a slice of that pie.

It was really a very difficult decision for a lot of reasons. First of all, because of the connection I feel with you. I know I don't know the vast majority of you personally, and it may sound kind of corny, but I really feel as if we've become friends through the years. And you've been with me during a lot of good times and some very difficult times as well. And, hopefully, I've been there for you. I can't tell you how grateful I am for the support you all have given me. And I so appreciate that you've included me in your morning routine.

I know. I want to see it on the big screen though, you know?

I know it's the worst kept secret in America, but I'm going to be working on the CBS evening news and '60 Minutes', and I'm very excited about it.

(Gasoline prices) are ridiculous. I had to take out a loan to fill up my minivan. It's crazy.

Good morning. Fighting fires. California firefighters try to stop a ferocious wild fire from crossing a freeway and burning its way to the ocean. Under fire: Former Education Secretary William Bennett feeling the heat for saying this on the radio:

Obviously I love doing newsmaker interviews, and if I can contribute in any way to that, I would love to. I love reporting, getting out in the field and talking to people about various issues.

I knew I had to be a journalist because I'm deeply curious about the world.

Can you explain what Internet is?

Misperceiving that there is one correct choice is a common mistake. Coming to understand that there are usually a few good choices--and then there's the one you pick, commit to, and make great--is the best way to make flexible, optimal, good decisions in life.

And have the courage to accept that you're not perfect, nothing is, and no one is - and that's OK.

The whole culture of wearing flags on our lapel and saying 'we' when referring to the United States and, even the 'shock and awe' of the initial stages, it was just too jubilant and just a little uncomfortable.

I don't always have a lot of energy, but my kids almost always revitalize me.

Obviously, people in Texas have big hearts.

I hope I have a little talent, but a lot of it was luck. I went through setbacks. People said I looked too young, people said I wasn't good, nobody said, 'Come here, baby, we're going to make you a star.' Early on, when I'd say, 'Can I do some anchoring?' people would look at me like I was crazy.

Some suggested over the weekend that it is wrong to expect Elian Gonzalez to live in a place that tolerates no dissent or freedom of political expression. They were talking about Miami.

The media can be an instrument of change. It can maintain the status quo and reflect the views of the society or it can awaken people and change minds. It depends on who's piloting the plane.

When I made coffee and Xeroxed and distributed newspapers at ABC News, I thought my life was over.

I think it's dangerous if your goal in life is to get the other guy, then you're not going to be doing a really quality job yourself

Just had lunch with the president who seems pensive, slightly deflated, realistic, aggravated and resolute. Didn't eat his pie.

What brought me into the TV business is what keeps me here and happy. You can learn something new every day if you have a really positive attitude.

I love the smell of estrogen in the morning

The person I enjoyed interviewing the most was Elmo from Sesame Street because he is so unpredictable and he is always eating my hair and my face.

My daughters depend on me for a lot more than food, clothing and shelter. They depend on me as an example of how to go on.

A less-than dream job can help you find your dreams.

There's nothing like being in the moment, even when that moment isn't captured or shared.

It's these parallel universes when someone you love is sick. Your world is this completely foreign place involving radiation and tumor markers. Outside, people are buying sweaters.

Oftentimes Westerners don't really understand fully the values of this particular culture. And I think the jury is still out as to whether democracy can really thrive in Iraq.

You can't assume that kindness is an inherited trait. It is learned behavior.

To think that one child would go to bed hungry somewhere in this country is heartbreaking... to know how many do is virtually incomprehensible. This is not only a problem that exists in the far reaches of the globe. It happens right here in our own backyard. Together, as concerned citizens, we must do more to make sure every child's needs are met.

It's fine to be on the hamster wheel, running and running, trying to grab the brass ring or whatever you define as success, but your relationships, that's really all that matters when it's all said and done.

A boat is always safe in the harbor, but that's not what boats are built for.

~I don't always have a lot of energy, but my kids almost always revitalize me. Of course like any working mom, sometimes I'm guilt-ridden. I think I should be sitting down doing an educational computer game with Carrie or taking Ellie to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These kids are such sponges, and I should be taking advantage of that.~

Be fearless. Have the courage to take risks. Go where there are no guarantees.

Prepare yourself to be employable.

The sooner you learn that life is not fair, the better off you'll be.

Dig deep and believe in yourself and have the self-confidence you need to forge ahead.

I realized that whatever your path, whatever your calling, the most damaging thing you can do is let other voices define you and drown out your own. You've got to block them out and find that place deep inside you, shaken but still intact, and hold on to it.

[I am enthusiastic about journalism because] it's a craft that can ... galvanize an often complacent citizenry, and make a difference.

Sexism is so five minutes ago. I think for the most part, people accept that women are as competent as men.

Nobody ever asks men about the work-life balance, and I just find that interesting, because clearly, I would imagine most men also want to be good fathers, and I'm sure they want to be good partners.

Be bold, be humble, be brave, be resilient, be productive, be good, good to yourselves and good to each other. Be careful; be caring.

Changing the world doesn't happen all at once. It isn't a big bang. It's an evolution, the sum of a billion tiny sparks. And some of those sparks will have to come from you.

Be fearless. Have the courage to take risks. Go where there are no guarantees. Get out of your comfort zone even if it means being uncomfortable. The road less traveled is sometimes fraught with barricades bumps and uncharted terrain. But it is on that road where your character is truly tested And have the courage to accept that you’re not perfect nothing is and no one is — and that’s OK.

And that is, in an increasingly fragmented society - I'm getting a little bit esoteric here - people like routine, people like familiarity.