Washington was a man of exceptional, almost excessive self-command, rarely permitting himself any show of discouragement or despair.

Read somewhat in the English poets every day. You will find them elegant, entertaining and constructive companions through your whole life.

I think the public library system is one of the most amazing American institutions. Free for everybody. If you ever get the blues about the status of American culture there are still more public libraries than there are McDonald's. During the worst of the Depression not one public library closed their doors.

There is a human longing to go back to other times. We all know how when we were children we asked our parents, "What was it like when you were a kid?" I think it probably has something to do with our survival as a species.

I lament the want of a liberal education. I feel the mist of ignorance to surround me - Nathanael Greene

When you start to write, things begin to come into focus in a way they don't when you're not writing. It's a very good way to find out how much you don't know because you learn specifically what you need to know that you don't know at the moment by writing.

Washington was a man of exceptional, almost excessive self-command, rarely permitting himself any show of discouragement or despair.