Clarence Thomas

I grew up in a religious environment, and I'm proud of it.

And I don't think that government has a role in telling people how to live their lives. Maybe a minister does, maybe your belief in God does, maybe there's another set of moral codes, but I don't think government has a role.

My grandfather could barely read. My grandmother had a sixth-grade education. They were people who were industrious. They were frugal.

I'd been very partial to Malcolm X, particularly his self-help teachings.

When you look at where the real problems are among minorities in our society, particularly blacks, it's at the bottom. It's the people who are in school systems that don't educate, neighborhoods where there is a lot of crime, drugs, the whole bit.

Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.

I was sympathetic to virtually all groups that wanted to get away from the old system.