Quotes from Madeleine Albright

Don't make me into this airy-fairy, moralist, idealist because I'm not.

I have always seen the United States as a force of good. And I have learned that there is the idealistic part about what we can do at the U.N. and there is a doable part. And I have learned what is more doable.

I am a beneficiary of the American people's generosity, and I hope we can have comprehensive immigration legislation that allows this country to continue to be enriched by those who were not born here.

I've never seen America as an imperialist or colonialist or meddling country.

Maybe if everybody in leadership was a woman, you might not get into the conflicts in the first place. But if you watch the women who have made it to the top, they haven't exactly been non-aggressive - including me.

But I do not believe that the world would be entirely different if there were more women leaders. Maybe if everybody in leadership was a woman, you might not get into the conflicts in the first place. But if you watch the women who have made it to the top, they haven't exactly been non-aggressive - including me.

Really, I have to laugh because there was a whole set of stories that made me sound like the Dragon Lady, you know, 'tough this and tough that.' Then there is this business about 'gooey.' The bottom line is I am a pragmatic idealist.

Because of my parents' love of democracy, we came to America after being driven twice from our home in Czechoslovakia - first by Hitler and then by Stalin.

I was in Europe and it was at this stage that I fell in love with Americans in uniform. And I continue to have that love affair.

For me, America is really, truly the indispensable nation.

I wasn't a normal professor. I had worked in government. I hadn't written nine zillion books. I was a hands-on professor.

No matter how hard we might wish, we will not be able to transform China's behavior overnight.

Take it from someone who fled the Iron Curtain: I know what happens when you give the Russians a green light.

I've never been to New Zealand before. But one of my role models, Xena, the warrior princess, comes from there.

When Hillary served in the Senate, I saw her work day and night as a member of the Armed Services Committee - working with Republicans and Democrats to keep our military strong and protect our troops and their families.

the purpose of foreign policy is to persuade others to do what we want or, better yet, to want what we want.

And so I think that the idea of America working with other countries to solve problems is good for us, and it is part of digging us out of the 'my way or the highway' approach that was evident in the previous eight years.

I saw what happened when a dictator was allowed to take over a piece of a country and the country went down the tubes. And I saw the opposite during the war when America joined the fight.

For somebody who loves foreign policy, being Secretary is the best job in the world - but it doesn't happen twice.

There were always jokes about Hillary Clinton channeling Eleanor Roosevelt, but Eleanor Roosevelt was really instrumental at the UN, and would want to meet with various other delegates.

And frankly, I don't understand - I mean, I'm obviously a card-carrying Democrat - but I can't understand why any woman would want to vote for Mitt Romney, except maybe Mrs. Romney.

I think this is a very hard choice, but the price - we think the price is worth it.

What a blast it is to be here with Michael Moore.

As you go along your road in life, you will, if you aim high enough, also meet resistance ... but no matter how tough the opposition may seem, have courage still-and persevere.