“The greatness of a nation is not the military power to enforce its will upon others, but rather its capacity to inspire high ideals and a humanizing spirit.”

“The great city of New York wields more of the destinies of this great nation that five times the population of any other portion of the country.”

“Imperialism creates the illusion of wealth as far as the masses are concerned. It usually serves to hide the fact that the ruling classes are gobbling up the natural resources of the home territory in an improvident manner and are otherwise utilizing the national wealth largely for their own purposes. Eventually the general public is called upon to pay for all of this, frequently after the military machine can no longer maintain external aggression.”

“A nation becomes what its young people read in their youth. Its ideals are fashioned then, its goals strongly determined.”

“Great minds can accomplish great things in life.”

“It's so much easier to suggest solutions when you don't know too much about the problem.”

“To want something desperately, to be tested, to feel that life will be impossible if the object of one's desires is not achieved, is always dangerous for the soul. Some people attempt to climb Everest because, as they say, it is there; others want nothing but wealth and care little how or where they collect it; others still, with less avaricious tastes - perhaps desiring nothing more than freedom from fear - are blinded by the same personal sun that shines on all human ambition. At some time or another it burns most of us.”