"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

drafted by Jefferson with help from Adams and Franklin

provides a foundation for popular sovereignty

represented separation from England

"Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed"

"....whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government"

Why would it be important for the decision to separate from Britain to be unanimous?

What words show how the colonists feel about Britain and the king?

By issuing the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain.

Throughout the 1760s and early 1770s, the North American colonists found themselves increasingly at odds with British imperial policies regarding taxation and frontier policy

Despite these changes, colonial leaders hoped to reconcile with the British Government, and all but the most radical members of Congress were unwilling to declare independence.

The computer industry is the only industry that is more fashion-driven than women's fashion.

Freedom has never been free. I love my children and I love my wife with all my heart. And I would die, die gladly, if that would make a better life for them.

I want to be a soldier as my father was.

A modest woman dressed out in all her finery is the most tremendous object of the whole creation.

Ireland is not at all a simple place, and in many ways it is spare and sad. It has no wealth, no power, no stability, no influence, no fashion, no size. Its only real arts are song and drama and poem. But Limerick alone has two thousand ruined castles and surely that many practicing poets.

Be it a trip to the dentist, getting an injection or even coming home with a good report card, my reward always had to be a book. I didn't care much for anything else.

I like to put a little spin on traditional styles as I see them now, probably somewhat inspired by my current job on 'Boardwalk Empire.'

Take a deep breath every morning; say thank you for your health. The alternative is unbelievably tough.

I hate to tell you this, but I did not know what the National Book Award was when I got the call.

The cliche in American politics is that one week is an eternity.

I separated from the Southern Baptists when they adopted the discriminatory attitude towards women, because I believe what Paul taught in Galatians that there is no distinction in God's eyes between men and women, slaves and masters, Jews and non-Jews - everybody is created equally in the eyes of God.

I don't really believe in palm readers and crystal balls and tarot cards, but I respond to the need for them.

To achieve the impossible, you must attempt the absurd.

When thou art above measure angry be think thee how momentary is mans life.

The brain is probably the most mysterious subject there is.

The hairs stand up on the back of my neck at certain music.

Too many trees are killed to print the words of people who may not have all that much to say, and authors and journalists are equally culpable in this regard.

I've seen that phenomenally successful people believe they can learn something from everybody. I call them 'mavericks with mentors.' Richard Branson, for instance, is a total maverick but he surrounds himself with incredibly successful, smart people and he listens to them.

Spirituality is not adopting more beliefs and assumptions but uncovering the best in you.

I was in love with the British 'The Office', so even though I love Steve Carell, when they were going to remake it, I was like, 'This is not going to work. I'm going to completely veto this show. I am not going to watch this show.' But now, I love it.

'Big Night' is the best food movie ever made. It's such a celebration of food, and the Italian tradition of celebrating people. Plus, everything looked delicious!

It's good to laugh!

Working with David Bowie was very interesting, but I couldn't surrender to it. I should have let him produce a record for me, but I'm very perverse in some ways. He's brilliant, but the entourage were rather daunting.

Beginnings are apt to be shadowy and so it is the beginnings of the great mother life the sea.