A rose, no matter how beautiful, still has to contend with thorns.

A genuine smile is one of the world’s rarest treasures.

A fish that is afraid of drowning in a river is ignorant of its gifts.

A diamond earns its sparkle from the pressure it endures.

It is in the storm, not the calm, that a rainbow is born.

A determined seed cannot be hidden from the world, not even by dirt.

Calm skies don't make skillful eagles.

If you cry in the rain, only the sky will see your tears.

Birds keep singing beautiful songs, even if they have no audience.

Today's storms help you appreciate tomorrow’s sunshine.

Train the ears to hear more, the eyes to see more, the hands to do more, the feet to accomplish more, the mind to think more, the heart to feel more, and the soul to love more.

...There are too many idiots in this world. And having said it, I have the burden of proving it.

You can’t conceive, my child, nor can I or anyone the … appalling … strangeness of the mercy of God.

Deliberation is the work of many men. Action of one alone.

We travel so much as touring musicians and artists that sometimes, when you hear a great song that you really think could be on your project, you go ahead and record it instead of try to write it.

His Majesty's Government looks with favour upon the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jews.

I think the culture can absorb so many people writing poetry and trying to earn their living in poetry.

This is not a democracy," I said, understanding he fear but unable to do anything about it. "It's a Maxocracy.

I have long believed that the only way peace can be achieved is through world government.

Married life teaches one invaluable lesson: to think of things far enough ahead not to say them.

Nothing's gonna stop me from floating