“The past is a rich resource on which we can draw in order to make decisions for the future, but it does not dictate our choices. We should look back at the past and select what is good, and leave behind what is bad.”

If you want the cooperation of humans around you, you must make them feel they are important – and you do that by being genuine and humble.

Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon.

The true character of a society is revealed in how it treats its children.

Courage is not the absence of fear. It is inspiring others to move beyond it.

There is nothing more important in life than giving. Tolerance is forged when people look beyond their own desires.

No problem is so deep that it cannot be overcome, given the will of all parties, through discussion and negotiation rather than force and violence.

It always seems impossible until it’s done.

Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.

Blaming things on the past does not make them better.

Rhetoric is not important. Actions are.

A leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.

Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.

There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.

Our task is not to liberate the oppressed, but to liberate the oppressors

It is so easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build.

No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.

God will never send anybody to hell. If man goes to hell, he goes by his own free choice.

Instead of getting married again, I’m going to find a woman I don’t like and give her a house.

Forgiveness is the choice to see people as they are now. When we’re mad at people, we’re angry because of something they said or did before this moment. By letting go of the past, we make room for miracles to replace our grievances.

The thoughts we choose to think are the tools we use to paint the canvas of our lives.

The only way the past can drag you back is if you choose to bring it with you into the present.

Because I always have a choice, I choose love.

Become mindful that remaining in a conflict is a choice.

I chose the trombone because the trombone players in the marching band got to be up front with the majorettes (because of the slides) and I loved that!