I honestly felt no envy or resentment, only astonishment at how much of a world there was out there and how much of it others already knew. The agenda for self-cultivation that had been set for my classmates by their teachers and parents was something I'd have to develop for myself.

Although I grew up in very modest and challenging circumstances, I consider my life to be immeasurably rich.

People in some situations act worse than animals. You can't be a judge if you try to be a robot. Because then you're not going to be able to look at both sides, and hear both sides. At the same time, if you're being ruled by emotion, then you're not being fair and impartial.

My mom loved the book [My beloved world] and she said to me, 'I never knew you had done so much.'

Some people choose not to engage the battle and then don't seek out that kind of success. And others do.

I think being a Catholic made me a better person. It taught me how to choose good over evil, and how to be a more caring human being.

I do believe that every person has an equal opportunity to be a good and wise judge regardless of their background or life experiences.