I was a brilliant student. I always try to be the best.

Don't expect ambiguities, hesitations or palace intrigues from me.

It is important to show our European partners that Portugal is a governable country.

The savings rate in Italy is high, but the markets do not trust Italy even though it's the third largest economy in the European Union and the eighth in the world.

After the accession to the euro zone, interest rates declined substantially in Portugal.

A president from a partner nation should not make comments on Italian politics.

Integration is the most important asset Europe has, and the key component to European integration is the euro.

The doctrine of the material efficacy of prayer reduces the Creator to a cosmic bellhop of a not very bright or reliable kind.

People will have their opinions of you, but you must be able to distinguish theirs from yours.

The height the dupe has fallen is measured by his anger.

He who has calmly reconciled his life to fate ... can look fortune in the face.

I absolutely love everything about Christmas music.

Even five minutes spent in silence will nurture and revive your soul and spirit.

An unexamined life is not worth living, and an unexamined faith is not worth holding.

Only the mediocre die always at their best. Real leaders are always improving - and raising their bar on how superbly they can perform and how quickly they can move.

Everyone's always telling you to be humble. When was the last time someone told you to be great?

If you listen very carefully, you can hear the good fairy come in the night and leave our assignment for tomorrow.