Whether you love its pace or are mystified by its immensity, New York City has a seemingly limitless capacity to spark both refreshingly blunt observations and eloquent descriptions of its daily life and motion. It has inspired countless artists, musicians, and even politicians, all of whom embody the essence of the city: profound, prophetic, quirky, amusing, tough, and amazingly varied.

Inside you’ll find words of wisdom from a plethora of noteworthy New Yorkers, including: