On either side of a potentially violent conflict, an opportunity exists to exercise compassion and diminish fear based on recognition of each other's humanity. Without such recognition, fear fueled by uninformed assumptions, cultural prejudice, desperation to meet basic human needs, or the panicked uncertainty of the moment explodes into violence.

Some men can live up to their loftiest ideals without ever going higher than a basement.

Today we are engaged in a deadly global struggle for those who would intimidate, torture, and murder people for exercising the most basic freedoms. If we are to win this struggle and spread those freedoms, we must keep our own moral compass pointed in a true direction.

In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican.

Prison itself is a tremendous education in the need for patience and perseverance. It is above all a test of one's commitment.

The two things he most valued, which is to say liberty and equality, were not natural allies.