I am for a clear distinction between public and private life. I believe private matters should be regulated in private and I have asked those close to me to respect this.

I think we need to significantly reduce the regulatory burden on the private sector. The Obama administration is doing the opposite. They're loading on more and more regulation on the private respect to how the economy functions.

A student never forgets an encouraging private word when it is given with sincere respect and admiration.

When people do not respect us we are sharply offended yet in his private heart no man much respects himself.

In better times the religion of the tribe or state has nothing in common with the private and foreign superstitions or magical rites that savage terror may dictate to the individual.

The restriction of religion to private life therefore does not necessarily threaten the vital interests of the majority religion if there is one and it protects minority religions from tyranny of the majority.

In Lincoln's day a President's religion was a very private affair. There were no public prayer meetings no attempts to woo the Religious Right. Few of Lincoln's countrymen knew anything at all of his religious beliefs.

Things are coming to a pretty pass when religion is allowed to invade private life.

Just in our lifetime our society has become looser and more private it becomes extremely difficult to hold to any permanent commitment whatever least of all to organized religion.

It is very reasonable to worry about the harm done by organized religion and to prefer looser and more private arrangements.