Barack Obama

Michelle’s not somebody who wants to be deeply involved in policy development. She’s my closest friend and my most important adviser. But I don’t anticipate her sitting around the table trying to figure out tax policy. She’ll probably choose a project that she cares about. But her number-one priority is going to be these kids, and making sure that their transition is one in which the wonderful normalcy that they have is maintained.

Don’t just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table.

Higher education cannot be a luxury reserved just for a privileged few. It is an economic necessity for every family. And every family should be able to afford it.

I’m a history buff, and I know that big changes take time. But I also know that, setting politics aside, usually things are never as good as you think they are or as bad as you think they are. And that has served me well temperamentally.

In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity – it is a prerequisite.

Yes, we can

It is difference of opinion that makes horse races.

Simple, clear purpose and principles give rise to complex and intelligent behavior. Complex rules and regulations give rise to simple and stupid behavior.

Man is a comparative being. Substandard things must go before super-standard things can come.

Positive anything is better than negative thinking.

What I have never been afraid of is to be a little silly, and you can engage people that way!

People don’t like when you point out to them and remind them that they’re not very smart.

Isn’t it amazing how easily you can cheat yourself out of the right choices by convincing yourself that you “deserve” the wrong ones? It’s highly illogical when you think about it. You deserve a better life, you deserve better health, and you deserve to lose weight.

Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.

If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today.

No matter how carefully and assiduously and how deeply you bury shit, the American public will find it and buy it in large quantity, It’s true, absolutely true.

Sailing round the world in a dirty gondola oh, to be back in the land of Coca-Cola!

It is bad luck to be superstitious.

Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

If we had more justice there would be less need of charity.

You’re only lonely if you’re not there for you.