No idea holds greater sway in the minds of educated Americans that the belief that it is possible to democratize governments anytime and anywhere under any circumstances.

There is no pure free-market economy.

A government is not legitimate merely because it exists.

I was a woman in a man's world. I was a Democrat in a Republican administration. I was an intellectual in a world of bureaucrats. I talked differently. This may have made me a bit like an ink blot.

Words can destroy. What we call each other ultimately becomes what we think of each other, and it matters.

I conclude that it is a fundamental mistake to think that salvation, justice, or virtue come through merely human institutions.

Democrats can't get elected unless things get worse-and things won't get worse unless they get elected.

Truth, which is important to a scholar, has to be concrete. And there is nothing more concrete than dealing with babies, burps and bottles, frogs and mud.

History is a better guide than good intentions.

What takes place in the Security Council more closely resembles a mugging than either a political debate or an effort at problem-solving.

Power ... is not an end in itself, but is an instrument that must be used toward an end.

Forgiveness is what makes adults different to children: children just forget, adults forgive.

Dream small dreams. If you make them too big, you get overwhelmed and you don't do anything. If you make small goals and accomplish them, it gives you the confidence to go on to higher goals.

Your faithfulness makes you trustworthy to God.

Virtue in a republic is the love of one's country, that is the love of equality.

I believe in only one thing: liberty; but I do not believe in liberty enough to want to force it upon anyone.

We have a good opportunity to be good parents right now.

I grew up on Lake Michigan during the PCB explosion, and I remember seeing the sick, dead fish with tumors, the weird deformed seagulls, the scum and the filth floating. We couldn't go swimming.

I'm pretty active, so I wasn't really worried [about filming "I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore" ]. But there was a day when I was like, "God, I've been rowing for two hours."

The black players at this club lend the side a lot of skill and flair, but you also need white players to balance things up and give the team some brains and common sense.

Great classic music that I've been turned on to has not only inspired and influenced me, but it has had an effect on my songwriting.