Gold medals aren't really made of gold. They're made of sweat determination and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.

I think that when we have a better educated society when there is less violence in our cities when people get back into the workforce and have the opportunity to take care of themselves and their families - that for me really is the kind of success and the kind of America that I think most of us still want we aspire to.

It seems to me that we're in danger of losing sight of certain basic civic values in society by allowing the growth of a whole generation of people who really have no sense of attachment to society.

I'm really not interested in other people's opinions because I think frankly most of those opinions are either misinformed and adding to this endless ball of hot air we have in our society where everyone thinks their opinion is valuable and sacred and what counts.

Every teenager deals in his or her own sexuality and has to face it and figure out how it can coincide with the rest of their lives in a healthy manner. And try to navigate it in our modern society which is wrought with stigma and taboo and repression and sort of as a result these inner monsters that some teenagers really struggle with.

I really think that elected officials should be focused on how you create sustained economic growth how do you create jobs and all of these issues that made people - segments of our society believe are really important are diversions politically.

Most of them are pretty down records pretty unhappy pretty confused. Which only reflects how people in general were feeling I mean really the sense that you get is society running down.

I was very restless. I really wanted to be a part of a kind of a progressive society. I was fed up with these Communist doctrines and you were hassled all the time with members of the Party committee who were KGB what you have to do where in the West you can go or not to go.

The point of mythology or myth is to point to the horizon and to point back to ourselves: This is who we are this is where we came from and this is where we're going. And a lot of Western society over the last hundred years - the last 50 years really - has lost that. We have become rather aimless and wandering.

We would like to get to a point in our society where people really are colorblind and this message would not have to be told anymore. Unfortunately we're not there yet.

Before I do anything I think well what hasn't been seen. Sometimes that turns out to be something ghastly and not fit for society. And sometimes that inspiration becomes something that's really worthwhile.

When we become a really mature grown-up wise society we will put teachers at the center of the community where they belong. We don't honor them enough we don't pay them enough.

If we had any nerve at all if we had any real balls as a society or whatever you need whatever quality you need real character we would make an effort to really address the wrongs in this society righteously.

Usually terrible things that are done with the excuse that progress requires them are not really progress at all but just terrible things.

You see some of these actors they have a permanent smile on their face. How can they do that? It really fascinates me.

I enjoy what Twitter is because I can really connect with the fans and it's a great way to share information with them and it's also a great way to entertain. I like being able to put a smile on people's faces and letting them know what I'm doing.

I don't really remember a time younger than 5 years old that I didn't have skates on because all I can remember is every day tying up my skates and a big smile on my face excited to go on the ice.

A simple compliment goes a really long way - for a guy to just come over and say 'You have great hair' or 'I really like your dress ' and then just smile and walk away. That's a great move because he's sort of putting himself out there by doing that but it won't lead to any embarrassment if the girl isn't interested.

I get really frustrated if people don't smile.

I get very nervous whenever I think about it. I've never done a serious play and I have such awe of the woman - she's really my only idol. It's going to be a big stretch - certain people come out on stage and your face muscles automatically tense and you get ready to smile.

You can always tell folks from nonfolks. Folks like to feel good like to smile for the camera when there's a big photo opportunity for a really good cause.

People need to understand that the Lauryn Hill they were exposed to in the beginning was all that was allowed in that arena at the time. I had to step away for the sake of the machine. I was being way too compromised. I felt uncomfortable having to smile in someone's face when I really didn't like them or know them well enough to like.

I love a girl that can make me laugh. I am not really a laugh-at-things type of guy and I don't smile and laugh all the time... But if a girl can make me laugh... I'm in love!!!!

I'm really exciting. I smile a lot I win a lot and I'm really sexy.