Republicans rarely criticize Obama for lack of empathy - in part because liberals have traditionally been seen as standing up for the weak and the vulnerable. Conservatives can be just as empathetic. But they believe that in most cases it's not government's role to be the primary dispenser of empathy.

All's the government should do is keep the taxes and regulations at a manageable rate keep a decent standing army and get out of the way.

The Establishment Clause prohibits government from making adherence to a religion relevant in any way to a person's standing in the political community.

I pinch myself because of the understanding that I've been blessed with a real rare opportunity that few Americans ever get - to serve their government and their people at this level.

A President needs political understanding to run the government but he may be elected without it.

If you want that good feeling that comes from doing things for other folks then you have to pay for it in abuse and misunderstanding.

May joy and good fellowship reign and in this manner may the Olympic Torch pursue its way through ages increasing friendly understanding among nations for the good of a humanity always more enthusiastic more courageous and more pure.

Words - so innocent and powerless as they are as standing in a dictionary how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them.

The brain is like a muscle. When it is in use we feel very good. Understanding is joyous.

The evil that is in the world almost always comes of ignorance and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence if they lack understanding.