You look at public education system, charter schools, infrastructure, in so many ways New Orleans has come back stronger.

Anyone can see the adversity in a difficult situation, but it takes a stronger person to see the opportunity.

Never let anyone in life tell you that you can't have something that you are willing to work for.

I can't get through the gate. The gate is narrow.

Sometimes all you need is just for somebody to believe in you in order to be able to accomplish maybe what you never thought you could.

Think about winning the day... if you are worried about the mountain in the distance, you might trip over the molehill right in front of you.

You can always be a little bit better.

There's always a little bit of personal satisfaction when you prove somebody wrong.

My No. 1 priority, and it always has been this, is keeping our team together and making sure we have the right guys in the right positions to make a run at this for a long time.

Each and every year I feel like I've gotten a little bit better and that's always been my goal, was just to get a little bit better

It has been an interesting road, but I wouldn't trade any of it for the world, because I feel like all of those instances in my life I felt molded me and strengthened me and made me who I am.

Without choice, there can be no service, love, or value to your actions. Remember that.

I have goals and aspirations, and I believe that you can go after your dreams, and it can work if you have someone there that's supporting you.

Father, help us to rest our heads on the soft pillow of Your providence.

I was once a student in a punk T-Shirt hooked on screwed-up scenarios. Thats how I became the esteemed cultural figure that I am today.

I believe love - and its feminine, though not necessarily female, counterpart, romance, is a private thing. It's something I'm not willing to share with the public.

I carry my flute around everywhere I go and pull it out. It actually becomes a panacea for me, for things that go on around me. It really gives me relief and calmness, tranquility.

Complaining is good for you as long as you're not complaining to the person you're complaining about.

I go out and look for a good story to tell and if I like it enough and I decide to direct it, I become dangerously involved in becoming a part of that story.

The arts teach and moralise by their beauty alone, not by translating a philosophical or social formula. For the truly artistic person, painting has itself as it's purpose, which is quite enough.

China is a keen observer of trends elsewhere in the world, and it's going to give our own innovators a run for their money.