I believe that in Europe, we have a collective leadership.

I have the most profound respect for the Department of Justice and the FTC. We in Europe are a younger and I would say junior institution to the historical antitrust experience of the US.

The two greatest priorities for my government are tackling tax evasion and corruption.

In the area of macroeconomic policies, I think we'll see more centralization, like in the budgetary sphere.

If the euro becomes a factor promoting Europe's drifting apart, then the foundation of the European project is destroyed.

There is no government in Europe where ministers go through that kind of confirmation process, which in fact is modeled on the way the U.S. cabinet members are confirmed.

My aspiration is not to be loved. It is that my government be respected and credible.

I am certain that most Germans have instinctive liking for Italy, just as Italians admire Germans for their many qualities.

I know that speaking with parties, which I do, but not very often, is seen by many as a contamination.

It is very unusual for a country to ask guys who are not politicians to come and run the country.

I believe that reforms will not really take hold if they do not gradually come into the culture of the people.

Life is nothing more than a contradiction.

I think that the major message of my life and what I hope to be remembered for is someone who managed to change the social sexual values of his time absolutely.

I myself, in my heart, say that people should have all the children they want. But it's a mistaken idea, like many of our ideas that go back thousands of years, and it must be rooted out.

There are probably no more market-oriented individuals on the planet, than low income people.

Hear ye not the hum Of mighty workings?

Learning is more effective when it is an active rather than a passive process.

You can be pleased with nothing if you are not pleased with yourself.

I look on that paper (the Constitution) as the most fatal plan that could possibly be conceived to enslave a free people.

I'm a total failure at housewifery. I always have been, 'cause I daydream too much. If I start doing the dishes at one in the afternoon, I'll still be there at six in the evening.

It must be hard for humans, forever floundering through inconvenient geography. Humans are always lost. It's a basic characteristic. It explains a lot about them.