The Chinese government wants me to say that for many centuries Tibet has been part of China. Even if I make that statement, many people would just laugh. And my statement will not change past history. History is history.

Most people have no concept of how an automatic transmission works, yet they know how to drive a car. You don't have to study physics to understand the laws of motion to drive a car. You don't have to understand any of this stuff to use Macintosh.

My parents shared not only an improbable love, they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or blessed, believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success.

Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late. 

It was the experience of mystery - even if mixed with fear - that engendered religion.

As a nation, every one of us should have to give priority to our country i.e., India. We just need to forget which religion or caste we are belonging to. Or in which society or state we are living. As an Indian, we need to put our whole efforts in the development of the country.

I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter.

There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reached the mountaintop of our desires.

The main purpose of life is to live rightly, think rightly, acts rightly. The soul must languish when we give all our thought to the body.

It's when children are 15, 16 or 17 that they decide whether they want to be a doctor, an engineer, a politician or go to the Mars or moon. That is the time they start having a dream, and that's the time you can work on them. You can help them shape their dreams.

Let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been forced to fulfill themselves. 

Personally I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.