Having courage does not mean that we are unafraid. Having courage and showing courage mean we face our fears. We are able to say, 'I have fallen, but I will get up.'

Among other things, I'm thinking "I'm a child of God." That's amazing. And "I'm not only a child of God, but God loves me." The hardest part for me is to realize that while God loves me, and I am a child of God, I have to see the bigot and the brute and the rapist, and whether he or she knows it or not, I have to know that that person is a child of God. That is part of the responsibility - and it's hard.

There is something more - the spirit, or the soul. I think that that quality encourages our courtesy and care and our minds. And mercy, and identity.

I would like to be known as an intelligent woman, a courageous woman, a loving woman, a woman who teaches by being.

My work is to be honest. My work is to try to think clearly, then have the courage to make sure that what I say is the truth.

Grace is like a lake of drinkable water right outside your door. But you stay inside and die of thirst.

At fifteen life had taught me undeniably that surrender, in its place, was as honorable as resistance, especially if one had no choice.