I'm not an optimist. I'm hopeful.

Work is born in us. We take to it kindly or unkindly. The terms may be easy or harsh, but the contract is binding.

I've always felt, in all my books, that there's a deep decency in the American people and a native intelligence - providing they have the facts, providing they have the information.

I want, of course, peace, grace, and beauty. How do you do that? You work for it.

Ordinary people are capable of doing extraordinary things, and that's what it's all about. They must count.

If solace is any sort of succor to someone, that is sufficient. I believe in the faith of people, whatever faith they may have.

I am paraphrasing Einstein. I love to do that: nobody dares contradict me.