Leading in a complex world means recognizing the simple things you can do to make things better.

Multiethnic character of America is very attractive to people. They also see a place where you get ahead, not because of where you came from, but because of where you want to go.

The sooner you learn that life is not fair, the better off you'll be, because you'll spend less time railing against life's unfairness and feeling aggrieved and entitled, and more time figuring out how to maximize your assets, and your talents and how to deal with things that you're not very good at.

Human beings are not perfect. Their institutions are not perfect, but they have to keep trying. And America has to help people keep trying.

I find it odd that suddenly people believe the United States is this Islamophobic country. I think this is the most tolerant country in the world.

Diplomacy, if properly practiced, is not just talking for the sake of talking.

Tocqueville talked about "ceaseless agitation," citizens constantly use their institutions, constantly challenging them, constantly insisting upon their rights. It's also individuals taking responsibility for other individuals, recognition that no democracy works if they're weaklings.