Many people ask me what I have learned from all of the experiences in my life, and I say unhesitatingly: People are wonderful. It is true. People really are wonderful.

Life is more than breath and a heartbeat; meaning and purpose are the life of life.

Ubuntu is very difficult to render into a Western language. It speaks of the very essence of being human.... you are generous, you are hospitable, you are friendly and caring and compassionate. You share what you have. It is to say, 'My humanity is inextricably bound up in yours.' We belong in a bundle of life.

You have seen after Katrina just what failures there are in American Society.

When a pile of cups is tottering on the edge of the table and you warn that they will crash to the ground, in South Africa you are blamed when that happens.

My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.

It is through weakness and vulnerability that most of us learn empathy and compassion and discover our soul.