If freedom were not so economically efficient it certainly wouldn't stand a chance.

A society that puts equality before freedom will get neither. A society that puts freedom before equality will get a high degree of both.

If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there'd be a shortage of sand.

Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself.

You cannot be sure that you are right unless you understand the arguments against your views better than your opponents do.

The essential notion of a capitalist society ... is voluntary cooperation, voluntary exchange. The essential notion of a socialist society is force.

I am favor of cutting taxes under any circumstances and for any excuse, for any reason, whenever it's possible.

The great advances of civilization, whether in architecture or painting, in science or literature, in industry or agriculture, have never come from centralized government.

Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.

You cannot simultaneously have free immigration and a welfare state.

The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem.

The blessed in the kingdom of heaven will see the punishments of the damned, in order that their bliss be more delightful for them.

He got why Eleanor tried so hard to look different. Sort of. It was because she was different - because she wasn't afraid to be.

You can't make a racehorse out of a pig. But if you work hard enough at it you can make a mighty fast pig.

Do studies, not pictures. Know when you are licked - start another. Be alive, stop when your interest is lost.

As lovely as people are to me about my performance, I'm still a huge critic. I like very little of what I ever do.

... if we are serious about helping nature, we need to be willing to forego material benefits.

Memory. My poison, my food.

Presidents have to learn how to adapt. Every president comes into the job, it's different than they expect, they must adapt.

In fast moving markets, adaptation is significantly more important than optimization.

the hymns were born in the fifteenth or sixteenth century or earlier, and listening to them was like licking an icicle: the same chill, the same purity.