When you're in a good mood, bring up the past. When you're in a bad mood, stick to the present. And when you're not feeling emotional at all, it's time to talk about the future.

An act of justice closes the book on a misdeed; an act of vengeance writes one of its own

The magnitude of an action may change not only the strength of its impact, but the direction. If you became a dentist, for example, you would certainly be an asset to our society. But what if everyone became a dentist? Who would bake the bread? Who would build the houses?

While you're writing, you can't concentrate nearly as well on what the speaker is saying.

What is the essence of America? The essence of America is finding and maintaining that perfect, delicate balance between freedom "to" and freedom "from."

Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.

The length of your education is less important than its breadth, and the length of your life is less important than its depth.