[quoting someone else] the American constitution is a document designed by geniuses to be eventually interpreted by idiots

Lincoln once said that America was founded on a proposition that was written by Jefferson in 1776. We are really founded on an argument about what that proposition means.

Men make history, but they can never know the history they are making.

Some models of self-control are able to achieve their serenity easily because the soul fires never burn brightly to begin with.

And the only thing to do with a sin is to confess, do penance and then, after some kind of decent interval, ask for forgiveness.

I would say readers can trust my work more than anyone else's.

I deeply regret having let stand and later confirming the assumption that I went to Vietnam. For this and any other distortions about my personal life, I want to apologize to my family, friends, colleagues and students. Beyond that circle, however, I shall have no further comment.

Even in the best of lives, mistakes are made.