My maxim was, the career is open to talents, without distinction of birth or fortune.

It was not lack of ability that limited my people, but lack of opportunity.

There is far more opportunity than there is ability.

We know that equality of individual ability has never existed and never will, but we do insist that equality of opportunity still must be sought.

In my travels all over the world, I have come to realize that what distinguishes one child from another is not ability, but access. Access to education, access to opportunity, access to love.

To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.