People are not perfect... very often the relationships that are strongest are those where people have worked through big crises but they've had to work through them. So the challenge to us is to work through that.

Lesbian existence comprises both the breaking of a taboo and the rejection of a compulsory way of life. It is also a direct or indirect attack on the male right of access to women.

Dr. Johnson has said that the chief glory of a country arises from its authors. But then that is only as they are oracles of wisdom unless they teach virtue they are more worthy of a halter than of the laurel.

Wisdom is that apprehension of heavenly things to which the spirit rises through love.

Of all the enemies of public liberty war is perhaps the most to be dreaded because it comprises and develops the germ of every other.

Four years ago I promised to end the war in Iraq. We did. I promised to refocus on the terrorists who actually attacked us on 9/11. We have. We've blunted the Taliban's momentum in Afghanistan and in 2014 our longest war will be over. A new tower rises above the New York skyline al Qaeda is on the path to defeat and Osama bin Laden is dead.

It's true that humanity has seen a succession of crises wars and atrocities but this negative side is offset by advances in technology and cultural exchanges.

Every man who rises above the common level has received two educations: the first from his teachers the second more personal and important from himself.

Each particular society begins to feel its strength whence arises a state of war between different nations.

Although strength should fail the effort will deserve praise. In great enterprises the attempt is enough.