“All my life I've been surrounded by people who are smarter than I am, but I found I could always keep up by working hard.”

“I've had a lot of experience with people smarter than I am.”

“I’ve always found that the better the book I’m reading, the smarter I feel, or, at least, the more able I am to imagine that I might, someday, become smarter.”

“I've always known who I am. I might not work perfectly, or be like them, but that's okay. I know I work in my own way.”

“In having a purpose. I could feel it hardening up my bones and thickening my blood. I felt older and smarter than anyone else I knew. I could do anything, anything at all.”

“I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough..”