The two greatest priorities for my government are tackling tax evasion and corruption.

I have the most profound respect for the Department of Justice and the FTC. We in Europe are a younger and I would say junior institution to the historical antitrust experience of the US.

In the area of macroeconomic policies, I think we'll see more centralization, like in the budgetary sphere.

If the euro becomes a factor promoting Europe's drifting apart, then the foundation of the European project is destroyed.

There is no government in Europe where ministers go through that kind of confirmation process, which in fact is modeled on the way the U.S. cabinet members are confirmed.

My aspiration is not to be loved. It is that my government be respected and credible.

I am certain that most Germans have instinctive liking for Italy, just as Italians admire Germans for their many qualities.

I know that speaking with parties, which I do, but not very often, is seen by many as a contamination.

It is very unusual for a country to ask guys who are not politicians to come and run the country.

I believe that in Europe, we have a collective leadership.

I believe that reforms will not really take hold if they do not gradually come into the culture of the people.

for some reason, dying men always ask the question they know the answer to. perhaps it's so they can die being right.

Life is magnificent and vivacious, but it is also fugacious.

For Christians, faith is a precious good, the most valuable personal and social resource. When it is left untapped, the common good suffers - not just the particular interests of Christians.

I think that's the trick: wanting what I have.

I'm a big sports guy - golf, tennis, baseball, basketball, snowboarding - and I love games.

When you're reading the news and sometimes you just think, "How bad can things get"?

Young people are at risk of being disinherited from their community if that community lacks the courage and confidence to teach its history.

Musicians have made incredible contributions to the conservation and environmental movement and continue to do so, more than ever.

Maybe those nihilist philosophers are right; maybe this is all we can expect of the universe, a relentless crushing of life and spirit, because the equilibrium state of the cosmos is death.

Ships are but boards, sailors but men.