Michelle Obama

Success isn’t about how your life looks to others. It’s about how it feels to you. We realized that being successful isn’t about being impressive, it’s about being inspired. That’s what it means to be true to yourself.

And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values, like you work hard for what you want in life. That your word is your bond; that you do what you say you’re going to do. That you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don’t know them and even if you don’t agree with them.

I’ve seen firsthand that being president doesn’t change who you are. It reveals who you are.

My daughters are the heart of my heart and the center of my world.

I was the most productive when I was in a flex situation. Do not check for me for needless meetings.

I advise young women: Negotiate hard and know your worth.

[On his mother] She certainly ran her own race… I thought my mother was nuts.

My #1 priority is being a mother as well and I can work too, so can you!

My father would always praise me. He always thought I was the smartest person

Growing up, I was taught that a man has to defend his family. When the wolf is trying to get in, you gotta stand in the doorway. He has to get through you first before he gets into the house to get your family. I’m one of those guys who wants to be in that door.

All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.

I am lucky because my family are comfortably off. My father has his own glass business.

I have not been a good father, but no father has loved his children more. Like my father, I decided the best thing I could do for my kids was work and provide. Fortunately, I’ve been able to do that. Unfortunately, my work was on the road, and that’s meant a life of one-nighters.

My siblings are my best friends.

I owe much to mother. She had an expert’s understanding, but also approached art emotionally.

My most important title is “mom-in-chief”. My daughters are still the heart of my heart and the centre of my world.

I just want to make sure when I have kids, I can spend time with them. That’s the whole point.

I guess my parents were strict. There were a few times when being with my friends and had bring my sister. It was just my parents best interests.

I tell my children now that they are older, ‘If something happens to me… don’t make no big fuss over me. Don’t make no big expense on my funeral. Don’t put any pressure on the rest of the family. I’ve loved everybody, and I hope they loved me. But don’t create this big expense for the family.’

Parents and children seldom act in concert: each child endeavors to appropriate the esteem or fondness of the parents, and the parents, with yet less temptation, betray each other to their children.

Between a man and his wife nothing ought to rule but love. Authority is for children and servants, yet not without sweetness.