The Paris peace talks kept a roof over my head and food on the table and clothes on my back because if something was said going in or coming out, I had the rent for the month.

The greatness of a leader is measured by the achievements of the led. This is the ultimate test of his effectiveness.

Leadership means firmness, not harshness or bullying; understanding, not weakness; justice, not irresponsible freedom; humaneness, not intolerance; generosity, not selfishness; pride, not egotism.

Amateurs study tactics; professionals study logistics.

Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.

I learned that good judgment comes from experience and that experience grows out of mistakes.

America today is running on the momentum of a godly ancestry, and when that momentum runs down, God help America.

The second best decision in time is infinitely better than the perfect decision too late.

A piece of paper makes you an officer, a radio makes you a commander.

It seems like people get afraid of a certain music if they can't pigeonhole it to their satisfaction... Good music is good music, and that should be enough for anybody.

Our live experiences, fixed in aphorisms, stiffen into cold epigrams. Our heart's blood, as we write it, turns to mere dull ink.

This world made by humans for themselves is most unfriendly towards humans. What irony.

Embracing failure is the stepping stone to success

Poor and content is rich and rich enough.

Youth comes but once in a lifetime.

Basic science provides long-term benefits for ourselves and our fragile planet and should be supported by all the world's societies.

I'm happy to be a writer - of prose, poetry, every kind of writing. Every person in the world who isn't a recluse, hermit or mute uses words. I know of no other art form that we always use.

Hope is a leg of a 3-legged stool with Faith and Charity.

To be omnipotent but friendless is to reign.

Friendships multiply joys and divide griefs.

Chechnya is part and parcel of the Russian Federation.