We believe what we want to believe, what we like to believe, what suits our prejudices and fuels our passions.

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.

It may be true that the weak will always be driven to the wall; but it is the task of a just society to see that the wall is climbable.

When we have "second thoughts" about something, our first thoughts don't seem like thoughts at all - just feelings.

Happiness held is the seed; happiness shared is the flower. A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour. Happiness is a direction, not a place.

Middle Age is that perplexing time of life when we hear two voices calling us, one saying, 'Why not?' and the other, 'Why bother?'

Marriages we regard as the happiest are those in which each of the partners believes he or she got the best of it.