In what grade do we stop believing in ourselves? I asked. In what grade do we stop believing, period? I mean, SOMEONE has to be a Nobel Peace Prize winner. SOMEONE has to be a ballerina. Why not us?

People are not born heroes or villains; they’re created by the people around them.

A villain is just a victim whose story hasn’t been told.

When people hurt you over and over, think of them like sand paper. They may scratch and hurt you a bit, but in the end, you end up polished and they end up useless.

If you truly own who you are, no one can use you against you.

I couldn't do country, with all due respect to all country music artists. My parents dressed me up with a cowboy hat and we'd go to the rodeo when I was younger and it traumatized me for life.

You can't shy away from your greatness just because you're afraid you're not great enough

Even in the worst of situations-even when it seems no one in the world appreciates you-as long as you have hope, everthing can get better

Courage is one thing that no one can ever take away from you.

To Grandma: Once upon a time, there was a boy who flew.

You don’t get to pick where you’re from, but you always have control of where you’re going.

Until they feel what we feel, they will never fully understand the own hell they caused.

Sometimes I wished I could cut away old memories and let the wind take them. If a sharp knife could pare away the weakness of those days, I would slice until nothing but the hard lessons remained.

The difference between a theist and an atheist is the degree to which God has revealed himself to them.

The universe was not made in jest but in solemn incomprehensible earnest.

I enjoy seeing new places.

Technology is closing the gap between what one can imagine and what one can do and as a result the equality of opportunity is unmatched in human history.

In 1991, I co-founded my first start-up, Ink Development, which made software for an early tablet computer.

Most of the locks and dams on the upper Mississippi River system are over 60 years old and many are in serious need of repair and rehabilitation.

I want to show what hard work and dedication and sacrifice can achieve.

I really enjoy being home because that's where family is. No matter where you're from, it's hard to beat home.