Samuel Johnson

Man is not weak; knowledge is more than equivalent to force.

There are few things that we so unwillingly give up, even in advanced age, as the supposition that we still have the power of ingratiating ourselves with the fair sex.

Sir, he throws away his money without thought and without merit. I do not call a tree generous that sheds its fruit at every breeze.

To let friendship die away by negligence and silence is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of the weary pilgrimage.

Courage is a quality so necessary for maintaining virtue, that it is always respected, even when it is associated with vice.

Subordination tends greatly to human happiness. Were we all upon an equality, we should have no other enjoyment than mere animal pleasure.

What will your children be teaching your grandchildren?

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.

The family is very important. They make me feel good always because if I won, when I started to be famous, the relationship never changed with my friends and family.

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

There are a few things that were just sheer, unadulterated joy, like the birth of my children.

Having lots of siblings is like having built-in best friends.

Family not only need to consist of merely those whom we share blood, but also for those whom we’d give blood.

Now that the baby is coming, I will do a lot more balancing. I’m going to be a real mommy.

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

Maybe that’s all that family really is, a group of people who all miss the same imaginary place.

You have to get that mom face right, like, ‘Oh, did that happen? Tell me more.’ Trying not to react so you get the good information. I tried to tell Sasha and Malia, ‘Do not go to other 14-year-olds for information, ’cause all you all are dumb. Talk to me.’ It’s like, ‘All of you are dumb. You know nothing. Love you!’ So, let’s just talk about it. Don’t ask Olivia what she thinks about sex. She doesn’t know!

Every day, people serve their neighbors and our nation in many different ways, from helping a child learn and easing the loneliness of those without a family to defending our freedom overseas. It is in this spirit of dedication to others and to our country that I believe service should be broadly and deeply encouraged.

I have to be in tune with my husband, where he is, how he’s feeling. I have to be in tune with where my family is. The same thing is true in the work that I do. It’s all about me feeling where people are. So that’s why I try to be really present, even when I’m on a rope line. I never take for granted my interactions with people. And it’s never black-and-white. I’m usually reading the crowd, reading the people that I’m with. I guess if this role has changed me, it’s improved my ability to do that. I’ve gotten better at sensing where people are at any given time.

I’m convinced that what kids need today are parents – not buddies. They need someone who will exercise mature judgment.

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.’