One of the reasons people stop learning is that they become less and less willing to risk failure.

It is one of the ironies of history that reformers so often misjudge the consequences of their reforms.

But if we believe what we profess concerning the worth of the individual, then the idea of individual development within a framework of ethical purpose must become our deepest concern, our national preoccupation, our passion, our obsession. We must think of education as relevant for everyone everywhere - at all ages and in all conditions of life.

America's greatness has been the greatness of a free people who shared certain moral commitments. Freedom without moral commitment is aimless and promptly self-destructive.

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

The [nonprofit] sector enhances our creativity, enlivens our communities, nurtures individual responsibility, stirs life at the grassroots, and reminds us that we were born free.

It is not easy to be crafty and winsome at the same time, and few accomplish it after the age of six.