We must never so thoroughly disrespect someone that they are beyond the pale and, therefore, have no possibility of being changed.

Part of the challenge of the Barack Obama campaign was to try to neutralize that white backlash, and of course, he was masterful in doing that.

It takes tremendous discipline, takes tremendous courage, to think for yourself, to examine yourself.

A philosopher's a lover of wisdom.

Why I can't stand this phrase about I don't have any permanent enemies, any permanent friends, only permanent interests. I can't stand that. It's a matter of principles. What kind of integrity, what kind of morality do you have?

Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public

Homophobia is very, very difficult to root out, to extricate. That's why we have to bear witness. That's why we have to be so public about it, and that's why we can't just play footsie with it.