America's education system has become less a ladder of opportunity than a structure to transmit inequity from one generation to the next.

A few countries like Sri Lanka and Honduras have led the way in slashing maternal mortality.

The news media's silence, particularly television news, is reprehensible. If we knew as much about Darfur as we do about Michael Jackson, we might be able to stop these things from continuing.

We all might ask ourselves why we tune in to these more trivial matters and tune out when it comes to Darfur

The conflict in Darfur could escalate to where we're seeing 100,000 victims per month

There are other issues I have felt more emotionally connected to, like China, where I lived and worked for some time. I was living there when Tiananmen Square erupted

While Americans have heard of Darfur and think we should be doing more there, they aren't actually angry at the president about inaction

It really is quite remarkable that Darfur has become a household name. I am gratified that's the case.

The north of the Central African Republic is now a war zone, with rival armed bands burning villages, kidnapping children, robbing travelers and killing people with impunity.

The greatest threat to extremism isn't drones firing missiles, but girls reading books.

You will be judged in years to come by how you responded to genocide on your watch.

When does one become free from all tubers (of the mind)? When one becomes free of kashayas (anger-pride-deceit-greed). Kashays (anger-pride-deceit-greed) are tubers themselves.

It’s so unrewarding, being a woman.

Ender didn't like fighting. He didn't like Peter's kind, the strong against the weak, and he didn't like his own kind either, the smart against the stupid.

The unknown energy that can help humanity is that which lies hidden in the child.

My favorite character on Friends was Joey, because we're both actors. I always thought that was so cool.

The next time you're disappointed, don't panic. Don't give up. Just be patient and let God remind you He's still in control.

I don't do all that well in the writerly world. I'm happier being outside the flow.

Lead us, Heavenly Father, lead us O'er the world's tempestuous sea; Guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us, For we have no help but Thee.

It's the kind of sage wisdom coming from a guy who was 25 at the time, but already had 20 years of experience. Kurt Russell is a wonderful actor and a great guy.

Poetry and music I have banished, But the stupidity Of root, shoot, blossom or clay Makes no demand. I bend my body to the spade Or grope with a dirty hand.