1. Whereas other societies look to the past for guidance, we cast ournets forward.
2. It is the belief in a brighter future that gives us optimism.
3. The job of the parents is to give the children every opportunity whilethey are growing up and then get out of their way.
4. When half the population goes to college, one cannot expect thecolleges to maintain the same standards as in countries where only the eliteattend.
5. Just as not every Japanese is hardworking and deferential tosuperiors, not every Chinese is devoted to family, not every American isambitious or patriotic—or even unsophisticated.
6. No one could seriously think that anyone who grows up poor, lives in abad neighborhood, and attends an inferior school has an opportunity equal tothat of someone more favored.
7. Current wisdom says that if you want a successful product, you needfirst to perform detailed market analysis, making sure that there are plenty ofpeople who need the new product and that you entry into the market will be ableto gain a significant share of that market.
8. The evidence suggests that, on balance, people today tend to concern themselveswith only practical matters that are related to their life.
9. At first glance, it would seem that increased bureaucracy createsobstacles between the citizens and those who govern, thereby separating the twogroups. Closer examination reveals, however, that in many ways governmentbureaucracy actually bridges the gap, and that new technologies now allow forways around the gap.
10. There is no doubt that hard work contributes to success, yet aperson can work awfully hard and still achieve very little.