Michelle Obama

For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction.

So early in our lives we are shushed. And not just directly shushed but sometimes in our lives we’re treated too preciously. We may have a father that loves us and treats us like a doll. They don’t treat us like real beings and equal partners.

I wish that girls could fail as bad as men do and be okay.

Be better. Be better at everything. Be better fathers… Men can be better husbands, which is – be a part of your family’s life. Do the dishes. Don’t babysit your children. You don’t babysit your own children. Be engaged. Don’t just think going to work and coming home makes you a man. Being a father, being engaged, all that stuff is important. Be a better employer. When you are sitting at a seat of power at a table of any kind and you look around you just see you, it’s just you and a bunch of men around a table, on a golf course, making deals, and you allow that to happen, and you’re okay with that – be better.

One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals.

It has to be a true partnership, and you have to really really like and respect the person you’re married to because it is a hard road.

We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

I have a private life in which I do not permit interference. It must be respected.

We have enough in our country to let us deep into the springs of human life if we only cherished what we have.

Do you realize if it weren’t for Edison we’d be watching TV by candlelight?

When I was fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have him around. When I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.

Coaching your wife is like trying to baptize a cat.

What’s to be ashamed of? I went through a really rough time, and I am quite proud that I got out of that.

Prophesy is a good line of business, but it is full of risks.

I love the beach. I love the sea. All my life I live within – in front of the sea.

If there’s only one answer, then this must not be a very interesting topic.

I have some wonderful friends from the Mideast that are as red, white and blue as anybody you know, that have been harassed, and I think it’s a terrible, terrible thing.

I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possesion, a duty.

Do not fear your enemies. The worst they can do is kill you. Do not fear friends. At worst, they may betray you. Fear those who do not care; they neither kill nor betray, but betrayal and murder exists because of their silent consent.