For all history up to the end of the Cold War summit meetings were historic and dramatic occasions when leaders who controlled the destiny of much of the world met to change the world.

The whole history of pop music had rested on the first person singular with occasional intrusions of the second person singular.

I wouldn't attach too much importance to these student riots. I remember when I was a student at the Sorbonne in Paris I used to go out and riot occasionally.

The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new so we must think anew and act anew.

When we recall the past we usually find that it is the simplest things - not the great occasions - that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness.

A great man is made up of qualities that meet or make great occasions.

Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights and our comfort when we occasionally falter.

Unless you have prepared yourself to profit by your chance the opportunity will only make you ridiculous. A great occasion is valuable to you just in proportion as you have educated yourself to make use of it.

Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. Weak men wait for opportunities strong men make them.

If there is not the war you don't get the great general if there is not a great occasion you don't get a great statesman if Lincoln had lived in a time of peace no one would have known his name.