People asked me what I want as an epitaph: 'He tried'

People expect Byzantine, Machiavellian logic from politicians. But the truth is simple. Trial lawyers learn a good rule: 'Don't decide what you don't have to decide.' That's not evasion, it's wisdom.

You want calamities? What about the Ice Age? God made this world, but didn't complete it.

There are only two rules for being successful. One, figure out exactly what you want to do, and two, do it.

For me to make lasagna would be a desecration of a great Italian dish. . . . I don't mess with sacred things.

The Republicans believe that the wagon train will not make it to the frontier unless some of the old, some of the young, some of the weak are left behind.

There are few things more amusing in the world of politics than watching moderate Republicans charging to the right in pursuit of greater glory.

The mugger who is arrested is back on the street before the police officer, but the person mugged may not be back on the street for a long time, if ever.

I talk and talk and talk, and I haven't taught people in 50 years what my father taught by example in one week.

Every time I've done something that doesn't feel right, it's ended up not being right.

The American people need no course in philosophy or political science or church history to know that God should not be made into a celestial party chairman.

You are not broken. You are not a problem to be solved. Solving your “problem”, whatever you perceive your problem or problems to be, is not the key to happiness.

How could such a beautiful man be insecure?

I've always felt you unearth story, like you're on an archeological dig.

The more I do bookstores, the more people come up to me from church groups. I spoke at Pittsburg State College and had 2 or 3 ministers and book groups from a couple of churches.

Cleverness is a burden after that. You are supposed to settle down and be a good person, raise your children, and be good to your friends, which you may not have been back when you were clever.

Your body has such a memory.

Two cats can live as cheaply as one, and their owner has twice as much fun

The people always have some champion whom they set over them and nurse into greatness. ... This and no other is the root from which a tyrant springs; when he first appears he is a protector.

In a mind charged with an eager purpose and an unfinished vindictiveness, there is no room for new feelings.

And as a writer now, I want to save Linda's life. Not her body--her life.