Dan Rather

Covering the civil-rights movement was a mind- and eye-opener for me. Houston was a segregated society, as was Texas as a whole - some of it by law, a lot of it by fear and tradition. But there was no violence where I lived, and if there was hate, it was either concealed from me or I just didn't recognize it.

But we cannot rely on memorials and museums alone. We can tell ourselves we will never forget and we likely won't. But we need to make sure that we teach history to those who never had the opportunity to remember in the first place.

Don't taunt the alligator until after you've crossed the creek.

A tough lesson in life that one has to learn is that not everybody wishes you well.

The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called 'truth'.

The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called ˜truth'.

Always marry a woman from Texas. No matter how tough things get, she's seen tougher.

Covering the civil rights movement was a mind and eye opener for me. Houston was a segregated society as was Texas as a whole some of it by law a lot of it by fear and tradition. But there was no violence where I lived and if there was hate it was either concealed from me or I just didnt recognize it.

And now the sequence of events in no particular order.

They may have turned this up, whether you had the Paula Jones case or not. But again maybe not, but again that's like if a frog had side pockets he'd probably wear a handgun.

Despite what many Americans think, most Soviets do not yearn for capitalism or Western-style democracy.

Performing doesn't turn me on. It's an egomaniac business, filled with prima donnas - including this one.

I'd much rather wear out than rust out.

Courage is being afraid but going on anyhow.

I was really lucky to work at CBS news. I was blessed to be able to live my dream in many ways at CBS news.

From the streets of Cairo and the Arab Spring, to Occupy Wall Street, from the busy political calendar to the aftermath of the tsunami in Japan, social media was not only sharing the news but driving it.

I don't back down. I don't cave when the pressure gets too great from these partisan political ideological forces.

Fear rules almost every newsroom in the country.

There is no doubt that the way journalism worked when I was growing up and getting started has changed forever.

A college degree is the key to realizing the American dream, well worth the financial sacrifice because it is supposed to open the door to a world of opportunity.

Never eat spinach just before going on the air.

Once the herd starts moving in one direction, it's very hard to turn it, even slightly.

Are the Democrats going to dance the mandate Macarena?

If I didn't have a front-row seat on history, it was at least a seat on the aisle.

Only votes talk, everything else walks.

I'm proud to say I've never been anybody's lapdog.

Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic.

A free and truly independent press - fiercely independent when necessary - is the red beating heart of freedom and democracy.

I've always tried to be fair, even-handed, not an advocate for any group.

To err is human but to really foul up requires a computer.

This race is hotter than a Times Square Rolex.

Journalists should denounce government by public opinion polls.

The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called "truth".

The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called truth.

An intellectual snob is someone who can listen to the William Tell Overture and not think of The Lone Ranger.

If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all.

Those market researchers... are playing games with you and me and with this entire country. Their so-called samples of opinion are no more accurate or reliable than my grandmother's big toe was when it came to predicting the weather.

The dream begins, most of the time, with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you on to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called truth.

What I say or do here won't matter much, nor should it.

The press is a watchdog. Not an attack dog. Not a lapdog. A watchdog. Now, a watchdog can't be right all the time. He doesn't bark only when he sees or smells something that's dangerous. A good watchdog barks at things that are suspicious.

A college degree is the key to realizing the American dream well worth the financial sacrifice because it is supposed to open the door to a world of opportunity.

For years Don Imus was just - boy, he was merciless in his criticism of me. Maybe it was justified, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt.

Ratings don't last. Good journalism does.

Now, I know you expected me to say that, well, I just kick back in the rocking chair, fished a little bit, listened to Willie Nelson tapes and watched old baseball games on the Classic Sports network. And, tell you the truth, I have done that for maybe about five total minutes.