You will make a difference in the world, but not immediately. Your first obligation is to find something you like doing, because if you like doing it, you'll do it well.

If you cannot allow people to do their jobs ... nobody with substance and creativity will work for you.

My mom was a teacher - I have the greatest respect for the profession - we need great teachers - not poor or mediocre ones.

I'm a strong believer that you have to have an equal opportunity to fail and to try things that are hard. I always tell my students, "Don't just take things that are easy for you. If you're really good at math, don't take just math. Take classes that make you write. If you're a really great writer, but bad at math, take math and make yourself work your way through it."

I really wish that we had passed a comprehensive immigration bill because that would've really helped our country.

When somebody underestimated me, it made me want to prove them wrong.

I think our dependence on foreign oil is a real problem, potential Achilles heel, and we have to do something about it.