The absence of utopianism in the Constitution, law, and traditional political culture has been ... important in limiting expectations concerning what can be achieved by politics. The history of the last two centuries confirms what the framers of the Constitution understood: that the perfect is the enemy of the good, and the search for unalloyed virtue in public life leads to unalloyed terror.

Maturity is when we live by the truths that are in our heart and soul, truths we believe to be right for us.

And I have no doubt that the American people generally believe the world is safer, and that we are safer, when we are stronger

For all their faults, right-wing authoritarian regimes more easily accept democratic reforms than left-wing totalitarian states.

I think that it's always appropriate for Americans and for American foreign policy to make clear why we feel that self-government is most compatible with peace, the well-being of people, and human dignity

Democrats can't get elected unless things get worse-and things won't get worse unless they get elected.

Power ... is not an end in itself, but is an instrument that must be used toward an end.