Michelle Obama

We learned about honesty and integrity – that the truth matters… that you don’t take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules… and success doesn’t count unless you earn it fair and square.

It’s just a matter of managing expectations. So for me, for example, you know, when your husband is President of the United States and you have children, something has got to give. I’ve made compromises in my life and my career, but I’ve also, in exchange, gained a wonderful platform to do some great work.

The difference between a broken community and a thriving one is the presence of women who are valued.

I stopped believing in love at first sight. I think you go through that wonderful love stage, but when it gets hard, you need a little bit more.

When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous.

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. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don’t invest any energy in them, because I know who I am.

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.

Anytime I want to feel closer to the ocean, I just lay by your side and listen to the waves ebb and swell in every breath you give and take, and feel each one crash inside of me. I knew from the first time I saw you that whoever said empty shells carried the ocean’s songs had never met you before.

I always live in some kind of anticipation of something good happening.

Silence is so accurate.

You don’t need a pack of wild horses to learn how to make a sandwich.

I am against nature. I don’t dig nature at all. I think nature is very unnatural. I think the truly natural things are dreams, which nature can’t touch with decay.

Some people give time, some money, some their skills and connections, some literally give their life’s blood. But everyone has something to give.

If money is your hope for independence, you will never have it. The only real security that a man can have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience and ability.

Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other.

There are lies, damned lies and statistics.

When I dare to be powerful – to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.

A problem is a chance for you to do your best.

I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it.

With all the wealth of the world at hand, there are human beings who hunger, whole nations who suffer cold. The judgment for this condition, for misusing Nature’s gifts, is the judgment upon man’s failure, man’s unsteadiness. Leadership is the thing.

People who have nothing to hide, hide nothing. You should be an open book, be transparent.