My mom used to tell me that the most valuable thing she owned was her library card. We were poor, but that's not what she was talking about. My mom knew that education opened doors and opened minds.

If the childhood obesity epidemic remains unchecked, it will condemn many of our kids to shorter lives, as well as the emotional and financial burdens of poor health.

Surgeon general's job is to protect, promote and advance the health, safety and security of the nation.

Overweight and obesity is the second leading cause of death, killing 300,000 people a year, There is not a miracle pill that will lead to weight loss.

As 17th U.S. Surgeon General, I was privileged to serve as the nation's doctor. I focused much of my time on promoting proven programs and individual steps that lead to good health.

Trying to block women from getting access to contraception or defunding Planned Parenthood is completely nonsensical from a policy standpoint.

I really think the most important thing I do is to protect the dignity and the integrity of the Office of the Surgeon General.

The overarching issue, really, is our surgeon general should be able to communicate transparently and honestly with the American public on all issues.

I used to be a real doctor. Now I just play one on TV.

The reason I'm disabled is because I have wounds and injuries that I got while on active duty ... from parachute jumping to combat to gunshot wounds, all that stuff.

Actions, such as the designation of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, spring from First Lady Michelle Obama's leadership of efforts to end childhood obesity within this generation.

About the most originality that any writer can hope to achieve honestly is to steal with good judgment.

If you're a writer, you're always working.

The table I write on I say exists ... meaning thereby that if I was in my study I might perceive it, or that some other spirit actually does perceive it.

Works of art must persist as objects of contemplation.

As this world was not intended to be a state of any great satisfaction or high enjoyment, so neither was it intended to be a mere scene of unhappiness and sorrow.

I count myself lucky to be fairly anonymous but occasionally have people tell me nice things.

I think it's always the emotional situations that are more tricky to nail and get into because I don't want to pretend.

Trading gives you an incredibly intense feeling of what life is all about.

When the lives of the unborn are snuffed out, they often feel pain, pain that is long and agonizing.

I don't know what's wrong with me. It's like all I can do is keep writing this gibberish to keep from breaking apart.