Iraqis have held elections and have recently put together their government, all encouraging developments.

Civility is not about dousing strongly held views. It's about making sure that people are willing to respect other perspectives.

There are words bandied about that are being misused - words like 'socialism,' words like 'communism,' words like 'fascism.

No activity I know is more of a confidence builder and at the same time more 'humility training' than wrestling.

There's probably a little greater case for pessimism than optimism. But I do not rule out optimism.

It is hard to cement any relations with any country based on promises that may not be deliverable.

A government of, by and for the people is obligated to conduct the nation's business in a manner that respects dissent.

The arts and humanities are vastly more important in troubled times.

History provides a sense of where we've been and lessons that can be taken forward.

The majority of U.S. high school students don't know within 50 years when the Civil War occurred.

America is very decentralized in how it supports the humanities, unlike European countries where virtually everything stems from the central government.

I must exchange whispers with God before shouts with the world.

I am a generous man, by nature, and far more trusting than I should be. Indeed. The real world is risky territory for people with generosity of spirit. Beware.

But the truth is that critics are by definition critical. That's their job.

Before people deal with their own sin, they are always dealing with other people's sin.

Do something everyday that you don't want to do.

I also dreamt about finally meeting the leftist Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek. He is a great role model for me.

The first dollar is the most you will get if you don't love what you are doing.

I don't want to scream 'Immigrant Song' every night for the rest of my life, and I'm not sure I could.

There's a Place in the Sun, where there's hope for everyone.

Nay, in every epoch of the world, the great event, parent of all others, is it not the arrival of a Thinker in the world?