We need to steer clear of this poverty of ambition, where people want to drive fancy cars and wear nice clothes and live in nice apartments but don't want to work hard to accomplish these things. Everyone should try to realize their full potential.

There is something unique in this soil, which despite many obstacles has always remained the abode of great souls.

In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same.

Short words are best and the old words when short are best of all. 

It is a melancholy truth that even great men have their poor relations.

When you have got an elephant by the hind legs and he is trying to run away, it's best to let him run.

As an attorney, I could be rather flamboyant in court. I did not act as though I were a black man in a white man's court, but as if everyone else - white and black - was a guest in my court. When trying a case, I often made sweeping gestures and used high-flown language.

I cannot conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states do not recognize Israel, within secure borders.

My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth.

I have done one thing that I think is a contribution: I helped Buddhist science and modern science combine. No other Buddhist has done that. Other lamas, I don't think they ever pay attention to modern science. Since my childhood, I have a keen interest.

If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don't ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But when we have elections, they want observers.

If you're looking for the safe choice, you shouldn't be supporting a black guy named Barack Obama to be the next leader of the free world.