I learned to distinguish between the two kinds of people in the world: those who have known inescapable sorrow and those who have not.

Life without idealism is empty indeed. We just hope or starve to death.

The highest civilizations -- the longest to last and I believe the most successful in human terms -- are those which have come the closest to achieving real understanding and mutual appreciation between men and women.

Men would rather be starving and free than fed in bonds.

The only real danger to our country is from within, that we forget our own power to be what we want to be.

endurance of inescapable sorrow is something which has to be learned alone. And only to endure is not enough. Endurance can be a harsh and bitter root in one's life, bearing poisonous and gloomy fruit, destroying other lives. Endurance is only the beginning. There must be acceptance and the knowledge that sorrow fully accepted brings its own gifts. For there is an alchemy in sorrow. It can be transmuted into wisdom, which, if it does not bring joy, can yet bring happiness.

I don't wait for moods - you'd never get anything done if you did.