virtue in obscurity is rewarded only in heaven. - Sonia Sotomayor

When a young person, even a gifted one, grows up without proximate living examples of what she may aspire to become — whether lawyer, scientist, artist, or leader in any realm — her goal remains abstract. Such models as appear in books or on the news, however inspiring or revered, are ultimately too remote to be real, let alone influential. But a role model in the flesh provides more than inspiration; his or her very existence is confirmation of possibilities one may have every reason to doubt, saying, 'Yes, someone like me can do this.

You can't say: This much love is worth this much misery. They're not opposites that cancel each other out; they're both true at the same time.

the difference between winning and losing came down to the appeal by emotion rather than fact alone.