“When times are tough and people are frustrated and angry and hurting and uncertain, the politics of constant conflict may be good. But what is good politics does not necessarily work in the real world. What works in the real world is cooperation.”

There is nothing more precious to a parent than a child, and nothing more important to our future than the safety of all our children.

Leadership means bringing people together in pursuit of a common cause, developing a plan to achieve it, and staying with it until the goal is achieved.

Yesterday is yesterday. If we try to recapture it, we will only lose tomorrow.

I admire that about the Republicans: The evidence does not faze them. They are not bothered at all by the facts.

We cannot idealize technology. Technology is only and always the reflection of our own imagination, and its uses must be conditioned by our own values. Technology can help cure diseases, but we can prevent a lot of diseases by old-fashioned changes in behavior.

There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in America.

When personal freedom’s being abused, you have to move to limit it. That’s what we did in the announcement I made last weekend on the public housing projects, about how we’re going to have weapon sweeps.

I believe that a worthwhile life is defined by a kind of spiritual journey and a sense of obligation.

I still believe in a place called Hope.

I am opposed to abortion and to government funding of abortions. We should not spend state funds on abortions because so many people believe abortion is wrong.

So much of modern politics is focused not on honest differences of policy but on personal attacks.

I’ve been in politics long enough to expect criticism and hostility. But I was unprepared for the hatred I get from Christians. Why do Christians hate so much?.

Keep your eyes on the prize and don’t turn back.

We must teach our children to resolve their conflicts with words, not weapons.

Sometimes there is a difference in what is legal and what ought to be done.

Today’s possibilities are not tomorrows guarantees.

Anger that has no limit causes terror, and unseasonable kindness does away with respect. Be not so severe as to cause disgust, nor so lenient as to make people presume.

Sometimes anger is the hardened hurt we never healed from.

In adversity assume the countenance of prosperity, and in prosperity moderate the temper and desires.

You can’t gaslight a fire burning from rage.

Alms in secret extinguish the wrath of the Lord’ means you are so immersed in sincerity and in preserving that sincerity that you have no pleasure in giving alms.

I read one psychologist’s theory that said, “Never strike a child in your anger.” When could I strike him? When he is kissing me on my birthday? When he’s recuperating from measles? Do I slap the Bible out of his hand on Sunday?

Lord, grant that anger or other bitterness does not reign over us, but that your grace, genuine kindness, loyalty, and every kind of friendliness, generosity, and gentleness may reign in us. Amen

Your anger can be 49 percent and your comedy 51 percent, and you’re okay. If the anger is 51 percent, the comedy is gone.