The Romans thought of themselves as the chosen people, yet they built the greatest army on Earth by recruiting warriors from any background.

I'm suggesting that, ironically, the secret to becoming a world 'hyperpower' is tolerance. If you look at history, you see great powers being very tolerant in their rise to global dominance.

But just because you love something, I added to myself, doesn't mean you'll ever be great. Not if you don't work. Most people stink at the things they love.

I do believe that when your child does poorly on a test, your first step should not necessarily be to attack the teacher or the school's curriculum. It should be to look at the idea that, maybe, the child didn't work hard enough.

A Western upbringing tends to stress questioning authority, which is always asking why, why, why.

There are all kinds of psychological disorders in the West that don't exist in Asia.

I say 'I love you' to my daughters every day.