A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.

But blind to former as to future fate, what mortal knows his pre-existent state?

The same ambition can destroy or save, and make a patriot as it makes a knave.

Get place and wealth, if possible with grace; if not, by any means get wealth and place.

I think my politics are just inclined to be empathetic and humanistic. I grew up with so many different kinds of people with different politics, different religion, no religion, no politics, education, no education, and I was infatuated with all of them.

Part of the job of a children's author is to write books that will be remembered, definitely, but if I might go out on a limb, I will say that the other part, the more important part, is to build books that will help children fall in love with reading. That, to me, is the real job.

My mother was the strength. She was the anchor. She was a preacher and a teacher.

My wife and I - her more than me - are really strong Christians. Her whole life revolves around studying the Bible, Bible study, after-school Bible class she does for little kids on Wednesdays, teaches Sunday school.