Literature, whether handed down by word or mouth or in print, gives us a second handle on reality.

People say that if you find water rising up to your ankle, that's the time to do something about it, not when it's around your neck.

...when we are comfortable and inattentive, we run the risk of committing grave injustices absentmindedly.

I grew up recognizing that there was nobody to give me any advice and that you do your best and if it's not good enough, someday you will come to terms with that.

The language of young men is pull down and destroy; but an old man speaks of conciliation.

Living fire begets cold, impotent ash.

Democracy is not something you put away for ten years, and then in the 11th year you wake up and start practicing again. We have to begin to learn to rule ourselves again.