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

Most people are mirrors, reflecting the moods and emotions of the times; few are windows, bringing light to bear on the dark corners where troubles fester. The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.

If the devil could be persuaded to write a bible, he would title it, "You Only Live Once."

There's no point in burying a hatchet if you're going to put up a marker on the site.

As we grow older, we should learn that these are two quite different things. Character is something you forge for yourself; temperament is something you are born with and can only slightly modify. Some people have easy temperaments and weak characters; others have difficult temperaments and strong characters. We are all prone to confuse the two in assessing people we associate with. Those with easy temperaments and weak characters are more likable than admirable; those with difficult temperaments and strong characters are more admirable than likable.

As WArden Lawes once said of convicts, no man can be called a failure until he has tried something he really likes, and fails at it.

There are always too many Democratic congressmen, too many Republican congressmen, and never enough U.S. congressmen.