“I firmly believe you never should spend your time being the former anything.”

There is nothing better than being in a classroom with really, really brilliant students, and opening up new worlds to them. That’s what I love doing.

I think that the United States has always been most effective when it is leading both from power and principle.

Truly remarkable leadership is not just about motivating others to follow, it’s about inspiring them to become leaders themselves and setting the stage for even greater opportunities for future generations.

I’ve never really been a workaholic. I work very hard, but I also enjoy playing. I think it’s important to have a balanced and well-rounded life.

I laugh almost everyday. I have a good sense of humor, so I’m always finding something funny.

Today’s headlines and history’s judgement are not the same.

Race is a constant factor in American life. Yet reacting to every incident,real or imagined, is crippling, tiring, and ultimately counterproductive.

If I can look at your zip code and I can tell whether you’re going to get a good education, we’ve got a real problem.

You have to have a strong sense of your values and a strong sense of who you are, because there are a lot of events and a lot of people who will pull you in this direction or that direction.

I think America is still a bright, shining city on the hill – not because we’re perfect but because we struggle in our imperfections every day.

Out of struggle very often comes victory.

Defeating human trafficking is a great moral calling of our time.

But the truth of the matter is, we’re an open society, we want to remain an open society, and there will continue to be vulnerability. That’s why we have to meet the threats when they are not yet taking place on our territory and on our soil.

I was born in segregated Birmingham, Alabama. I didn’t have a white classmate till we moved to Denver.

Differences can be a strength.

Every life is worthy and every life is capable of greatness. We have an obligation to make sure that opportunity for greatness is there.