A toothache or a violent passion is not necessarily diminished by our knowledge of its causes its character its importance or insignificance.

This is the greatest society in all of human history the greatest country ever. Many of the decisions being made in Washington today by both parties are threatening that greatness. And if we stay on this road we're on right now our children are going to be the first Americans ever to inherit a diminished country.

I am actually in poor health due to chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome and my ability to work is greatly diminished right now so I have to get better before I can start another big project.

As to happiness in this life it is hardly compatible with that diminished respect which ever attends the relinquishing of labour.

A great empire like a great cake is most easily diminished at the edges.

By failing seriously to confront the most predicable economic crisis in our nation's history the President's policies are committing us and our children to a diminished future.

We're getting so pulled in by computers and technology and our kids have their face in the computers all day. The human relationship is being diminished by this.

Unlike then the mail stream of today has diminished by such things as e-mails and faxes and cell phones and text messages largely electronic means of communication that replace mail.

And I find - I'm 63 and my capacity to be by myself and just spend time by myself hasn't diminished any. That's the necessary part of being a writer you better like being alone.