Quotes from Ben S. Bernanke

after Jonas died, in 1970, of a heart attack—occupied herself with reading and painting.

White House officials had made no firm commitment but said I would receive strong consideration if I wanted a new term.

that investors had grown complacent and needed to be taught a lesson.

With that law still in place, Citi likely could not have become as large and complex as it did.

I had a friendly, though not particularly close, relationship with President Bush.

As doubts grew about the GSEs,

If growth did not pick up enough to boost consumer and business confidence, the economy might tumble into a new recession.

and Nan died at age three months.

but made clear it would not grant further extensions.

I was as reassuring as I could be, but I was not in a position to offer guarantees, implicit or otherwise.

He wasn't sure of his age himself; his parents manipulated their records to keep him out of military service.

and I went on with the presentation.

I should warn you—he's not at all respectful of you," she wrote. I suspected that was an understatement.

and because U.S. fiscal policy, although a headwind during most of the recovery, was less restrictive than elsewhere.

The media and politicians rarely pay attention to statements by economists, but unfortunately they do if the statements are sufficiently controversial (in the case of the media) or support preconceived views (in the case of politicians).

but I didn't have the patience for its complexities.

On the other hand, job growth remained flat and inflation was still very low.

The president tried to pretend that he didn't notice, but before long he burst out laughing.

He spoke with expertise, but perhaps also from a perspective influenced by his post-Fed positions.

as had been the norm before the crisis.

and I remain happy being an interested outside observer.

I felt more at home in Cambridge than I ever had in Dillon.

In contrast to Lina, Masia was warm and outgoing—everything a boy could want in a grandmother.

Both had valid points.