Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us. We need hours of aimless wandering or spates of time sitting on park benches, observing the mysterious world of ants and the canopy of treetops.

We need much less than we think we need.

I encourage you to live with life. Be courageous, adventurous. Give us a tomorrow, more than we deserve.

Just like moons and suns, With certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise.

Self-pity in its early stage is as snug as a feather mattress. Only when it hardens does it become uncomfortable.

It's good to remember that in crises, natural crises, human beings forget for awhile their ignorances, their biases, their prejudices. For a little while, neighbors help neighbors and strangers help strangers.

Human beings are more alike than unalike. Whether in Paris, Texas, or Paris, France, we all want to have good jobs where we are needed and respected and paid just a little more than we deserve. We want healthy children, safe streets, to be loved and have the unmitigated gall to accept love. If we are religious, we want a place to perpetuate God. If not, we want a good lecture every once in a while. And everyone wants someplace to party on Saturday nights.