Despite the increasingly presidential style of political leadership in our country, teamwork is essential.

Growing up, I was always in the kitchen. Even in third grade, I made cooking videos called 'The Little Italian.' Very little production value, but it was good.

My heroes are the non-commissioned officers. If I had another life thats what Id be - a regimental sergeant major or a similar rank. Thats where the spirit of the armed forces is.

I never expected to be Defence Secretary. It's a great privilege.

We in the west walked away from Afghanistan at the end of the cold war and left it as a country devastated socially and armed to the teeth. If we do that again there will be consequences.

I come from a pretty tough background and I learned a long time ago not to be bothered.

On the back benches, you can have your say but no power to do anything.

Emergencies” have always been the pretext on which the safeguards of individual liberty have been eroded.

As my friend, you should either bring me along, or keep me company.""Friend?" he asked.She blushed. "Well, 'scowling escort' is a better description. Or 'reluctant acquaintance', if you prefer.

Wherever there's capitalism there's this inclination toward simplicity. There's also a human need to process complicated things by turning them into something else.

I wouldn't mind being in one place for two months or so. It really doesn't sound so bad!

If there were one word that could act as a standard of conduct for one's entire life, perhaps it would be 'thoughtfulness.

If we must “feel” God's presence before we believe he is with us, we again reduce God to our ability to grasp him, making him an idol instead of acknowledging him as God.

The greatest achievement is to outperform yourself.

I take back all I ever said about the Old Masters. They give great lessons.

I am writing with my burnt hand about the nature of fire.

It's not rebels that make trouble, but trouble that makes rebels.