"Moreover, my ancestors' souls are sustained by the atmosphere of the house, since I answer for them the questions that their lives once left behind. I carve out rough answers as best I can. I have even drawn them on the walls. It is as if a silent, greater family, stretching down the centuries, were peopling the house."

“Modern societies march towards morality in proportion as they leave religion behind.”

“Unless we understand what it is that leads to economic and financial instability, we cannot prescribe -- make policy -- to modify or eliminate it. Identifying a phenomenon is not enough; we need a theory that makes instability a normal result in our economy and gives us handles to control it.”

Source : Hyman Minsky (2008). “Stabilizing an Unstable Economy, Part 3 - Economic Theory”, p.111, McGraw Hill Professional

“The real and most pressing question raised by any social problem is: "How do I appear concerned and compassionate to all my friends, colleagues, and peers?”

“We will not allow anyone to perform any terrorist acts inside or from Afghanistan against anyone. We are a free country where Osama is living as a guest. This is the reality and it is up to the world to accept it.”

“I learned that, before you reach an objective, you must be ready with a new one, and you must start to communicate it to the organization. But it is not the goal itself that is important.”

Source : "The Art of Loving". Interview with George Gendron, www.inc.com. May 1, 1989.

“I was willing to put it at risk in order for someone to gain, in order for the situation to get better.”

Source : "People Told Me to Shut Up and Play Football". "Hang Up and Listen" with Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca, www.slate.com. July 18, 2016.

“What could he mean by speaking so, as if I were always thinking that he cared for me, when I know he does not; he cannot. ... But I won't care for him. I surely am mistress enough of myself to control this wild, strange, miserable feeling”

“Every flight begins with a fall.”