I am passionately interested in understanding how my country works. And if you want to know about this thing called the United States of America you have to know about the Civil War.

History is malleable. A new cache of diaries can shed new light, and archeological evidence can challenge our popular assumptions.

We're having a hard time understanding where jazz is going. What happened to jazz?

The genius of our country is improvisation, and jazz reflects that. It's our great contribution to the arts.

It is the great arrogance of the present to forget the intelligence of the past

I think we too often make choices based on the safety of cynicism, and what we're lead to is a life not fully lived. Cynicism is fear, and it's worse than fear - it's an active disengagement.

Do not lose your enthusiasm. In its Greek etymology, the word enthusiasm means, "God in us."

History isn't really about the past - settling old scores. It's about defining the present and who we are.

People tend to forget that the word "history" contains the word "story".

By its very nature, no one person can ever be the center of Jazz.

I began to feel that the drama of the truth that is in the moment and in the past is richer and more interesting than the drama of Hollywood movies. So I began looking at documentary films.

The path you do not take today is the path you will regret not taking tomorrow.

The purpose of discovering your purpose is so that you can fulfill it.

Sometimes people are often confused between attitude and style. Nevermind, I'm Awesome.

Protesting is never a disturbance of the peace. Corruption, injustice, war and intimidation are disturbances of the peace.

I don't consciously beat the drums for any cause, not even the negro in the United States.

I was always the biggest nerd in school: I had very few friends; I was always picked on; I used to wear really big glasses. I was the epitome of a nerd.

We are the dead. Our only true life is in the future.

I am here to make you think. . . . I am not here to make pretty pictures!

So this is what SmackDown looks like.

The only safe ruler is he who has learned to obey willingly.