I have always seen the United States as a force of good. And I have learned that there is the idealistic part about what we can do at the U.N. and there is a doable part. And I have learned what is more doable.

You have to learn to interrupt because you aren't going to get called on.

I do believe that in order to be a successful negotiator that as a diplomat, you have to be able to put yourself into the other person's shoes. Unless you can understand what is motivating them, you are never going to be able to figure out how to solve a particular problem.

Libraries are fun, educational, and the biggest bargain on the face of the earth.

Freedon succeeds from the moment people stop looking to others to improve their lives and start taking responsibility.

Really, I have to laugh because there was a whole set of stories that made me sound like the Dragon Lady, you know, 'tough this and tough that.' Then there is this business about 'gooey.' The bottom line is I am a pragmatic idealist.

No matter how hard we might wish, we will not be able to transform China's behavior overnight.