Excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.

One exemplary act may affect one life, or even millions of lives. All those who set standards for themselves, who strengthen the bonds of community, who do their work creditably and accept individual responsibility, are building the common future.

The world loves talent but pays off on character.

The individual who has become a stranger to himself has lost the capacity for genuine self-renewal.

All excellence involves discipline and tenacity of purpose.

It is hard to feel individually responsible with respect to the invisible processes of a huge and distant government.

Excellence implies striving for the highest standards in every phase of life.