What we have to be judged by is the work we try to do. It's public service, not perfect service.

We are facing a stiff wind right now, but if we persist and keep fighting back, we will prevail.

Dream big dreams! Others may deprive you of your material wealth and cheat you in a thousand ways, but no man can deprive you of the control and use of your imagination. Men may deal with you unfairly, as men often do; they may deprive you of your liberty; but they cannot take from you the privilege of using your imagination. In your imagination you always win!

I was extended secret service protection during my presidential run in 1984, when I received the most death threats ever made toward a candidate.

For me, Barack Obama's election was a milestone of the most extraordinary kind. On the day he was elected I felt such hope in my heart. I thought we were seeing the beginning of a new era of equal opportunity across race and gender such as America had never known before.

A man must be willing to die for justice. Death is an inescapable reality and men die daily, but good deeds live forever.

If I were a white candidate, I'd have won the Democratic nomination.