What do you first do when you learn to swim? You make mistakes, do you not? And what happens? You read more

What do you first do when you learn to swim? You make mistakes, do you not? And what happens? You make other mistakes, and when you have made all the mistakes you possibly can without drowning -- and some of them many times over -- what do you find? That you can swim? Well -- life is just the same as learning to swim! Do not be afraid of making mistakes, for there is no other way of learning how to live!

When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard,' I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?'.

When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard,' I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?'.

Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance read more

Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.

I must respect the opinions of others even if I disagree with them.

I must respect the opinions of others even if I disagree with them.

What was once thought can never be unthought.

What was once thought can never be unthought.

Character is not made in a crisis -- it is only exhibited.

Character is not made in a crisis -- it is only exhibited.

When you come to a roadblock, take a detour.

When you come to a roadblock, take a detour.

I am responsible. Although I may not be able to prevent the worst from happening, I am responsible for my read more

I am responsible. Although I may not be able to prevent the worst from happening, I am responsible for my attitude toward the inevitable misfortunes that darken life. Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have – life itself.

The common people of America display a quality of good common sense which is heartening to anyone who believes in read more

The common people of America display a quality of good common sense which is heartening to anyone who believes in the democratic process.