“But a society in which pluralism is not undergirded by some shared values and held together by some measure of mutual trust simply cannot survive. Pluralism that reflects no commitments whatever to the common good is pluralism gone berserk... ..Leaders unwilling to seek mutually workable arrangements within systems to their own are not surviving the long-term interest of their constituents”

“Some people strengthen the society just by being the kind of people they are.”

“The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy: neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water.”

“Men of integrity, by their very existence, rekindle the belief that as a people we can live above the level of moral squalor. We need that belief; a cynical community is a corrupt community.”

“If you don't give your kid freedom to make choices with money, including stupid choices, he'll make plenty when he gets to college.”

“Leaders come in many forms, with many styles and diverse qualities. There are quiet leaders and leaders one can hear in the next county. Some find strength in eloquence, some in judgment, some in courage.”

“History never looks like history when you are living through it.”

“True happiness involves the full use of one's power and talents.”

“One of the reasons people stop learning is that they become less and less willing to risk failure.”

“If you have some respect for people as they are, you can be more effective in helping them to become better than they are.”

“It is hard to feel individually responsible with respect to the invisible processes of a huge and distant government.”