Patriotism is proud of a country's virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their own specific virtues. The pride of nationalism, however, trumpets its country's virtues and denies its deficiencies, while it is contemptuous toward the virtues of other countries. It wants to be, and proclaims itself to be, "the greatest," but greatness is not required of a country; only goodness is.

When we inform, we lead from strength; when we communicate, we lead from weakness—and it is precisely this confession of mortality that engages the ears, heads and hearts of those we want to enlist as allies in a common cause.

Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be.

Many people know how to work hard; many others know how to play well; but the rarest talent in the world is the ability to introduce elements of playfulness into work, and to put some constructive labor into our leisure.

A cynic is not merely one who reads bitter lessons from the past, his is also one who is permanently disappointed in the future.

Intolerance is the most socially acceptable form of egotism, for it permits us to assume superiority without personal boasting.

Just about the only interruption we don't object to is applause.