Verbatim

"When America gives a commitment, America will keep its commitment." GEORGE W. BUSH, on a surprise trip to Baghdad, assuring Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that the U.S. will stand by Iraq's new government as it works to achieve stability

"Stay the course? I don't think so, Mr. President." NANCY PELOSI, House minority leader, urging her colleagues to set a timetable for U.S. troops to leave Iraq. The proposal was rejected

"It is important for the human race to spread out into space for the survival of the species." STEPHEN HAWKING, astrophysicist, warning that life on Earth could soon be wiped out by global warming or nuclear war

"Whenever I see the weapon I invented to defend my motherland in the hands of these bin Ladens, I ask myself the same question: How did it get into their hands?" MIKHAIL KALASHNIKOV, Russian inventor of the AK-47, on the rifle's transformation into the weapon of choice for terrorists worldwide

"Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof." THE CONGREGATION, in a new translation of the Catholic Mass approved by U.S. bishops. This pre-Communion prayer is closer to its Latin original than the current "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you"

"It's not rust." TIGER WOODS, golfer, explaining his poor form at the U.S. Open last week--the first time in his pro career that he missed the cut at a major. It was his first tournament since his father Earl died of cancer in May

"Cher, thank you for watching C-SPAN--I think you have better things to do with your life than watch boring old us, but thank you!" MARY BONO, California Congresswoman and widow of Cher's ex-husband Sonny, after the singer called in to a C-SPAN TV show to voice support for sending more--and better--helmets to troops in Iraq

"I did it with my dad. I'd sit on his lap, and I'd drive. We're country." BRITNEY SPEARS, singer, in an interview with NBC's Matt Lauer, on why she drove with her infant son Sean on her lap

For more daily sound bites, visit time.com/quotes

Sources: White House; AP (3); New York Times; BBC; Washington Post; PEOPLE