We may be a nation of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans, but first and foremost we are all human beings and Americans.

The truth of the matter is the tone is toxic here in Washington, and we have been exporting it around the country.

Hope fills the holes of my frustration in my heart.

I have family in Tanzania. I can't even explain the joy of riding through the Tanzania national park and seeing giraffes run across the road and elephants over in a pond and baboons running.

There is more power in unity than division.

Hope is the motivation that empowers the unemployed, enabling them to get out of bed every single morning with unbounded enthusiasm as they look for work.

We've gotten to the point now where Republicans and Democrats have nothing in common besides being members of the 'caustic caucus,' and we can't get anything done.

Social Security is a covenant that should not be broken.

Let's do more than say the 'Pledge of Allegiance.' Let us live it!

[Raul Castro] is one of the most amazing human beings I've ever met.

Congress is unable to do the work of the American people because too many politicians believe that compromise means capitulation.

Is there anyone that knows the absolute truth?

I have learned to read the papers calmly and not to hate the fools I read about.

Writers strive for the impossible: perfection. Even the universe is flawed.

Life had a different shape; it had new branches and some of the old branches were dead.

To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.

They don't pay you a million dollars for two-hand chest passes.

The progress of religion is steadily to its identity with morals. Strength enters just as much as the moral element prevails.

If I don’t start having service I’m going to swap you all for a dog and shoot the dog.

I tell my child, if I seem obsessed to always know where you've been, it is because my DNA will be found at the scene.

The good news is that . . . humans are gifted by the potential for self-awareness and intelligent choice, and knowing our circumstance is an invitation to change.