Being fundamentally decent and honest and willing to put others before yourself - that's necessary for being an effective policymaker.

In the real world, answers may not be clear cut. There will be messy choices, and you're not going to be able to construct a policy response in a neat and tidy way. Being able to listen to other people, even as you stay true to your principles, that's how you actually succeed.

By the time I was 10 or 13, I'd learned the world capitals.

Public policy is a study in imperfection. It involves imperfect people, with imperfect information, facing deeply imperfect choices - so it's not surprising that they're getting imperfect results.

A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.

True friendship can afford true knowledge. It does not depend on darkness and ignorance.

You can build many relationships with people while playing 18 holes, no matter how good you are.

Not having a great relationship with my brother Aaron, or what people think that relationship should be, didn't define me.