"What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary."

"A courageous heart knows that every choice we make paints the canvas of our life."

"The canvas of imagination has no boundaries except those imposed by fear. This remains the cornerstone of personal mastery — an essential principle for the reflective life."

"It is a unyielding truth that the moral compass points true only when freed from the magnetism of personal gain."

"I think that people who live in cultures without quite so much privilege, opportunity or grandiosity have a little bit more respect for the workings of destiny, and the limitations that people can find themselves in through no fault of their own."

"To get down to the quick of it, respect motivates me - not success."

"It is a steadfast truth that humility is not weakness in leadership; it is the cornerstone of unassailable respect — an essential principle for the reflective life."

"And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values, like you work hard for what you want in life. That your word is your bond that you do what you say you're going to do. That you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don't know them and even if you don't agree with them."