The American people need no course in philosophy or political science or church history to know that God should not be made into a celestial party chairman. To most of us, the manipulative invoking of religion to advance a politician or a party is frightening and divisive. The American people will tolerate religious leaders taking positions for or against candidates.

People asked me what I want as an epitaph: 'He tried'

There are some who ask us to believe that if we want the best of times for ourselves, the fit and the fortunate, then we'll just have to learn to live with the worst of times for millions of other Americans - that we're doomed to be a nation of the lucky and the left-out. I don't believe it. My mother didn't believe it. Your ancestors didn't believe it. And I don't think you should believe it.

There are only two rules for being successful. One, figure out exactly what you want to do, and two, do it.

I have no plans, and no plans to plan.

You want calamities? What about the Ice Age? God made this world, but didn't complete it.

Every time I've done something that doesn't feel right, it's ended up not being right.