Quotes of the Day

Football Royalty
I have no doubt that Lionel Messi will be remembered across the globe as the best footballer of all time ["Lionel Messi's Final Goal," Feb. 6]. He has the unique gift of transforming football into a fine art form. And maybe like Vincent van Gogh and Emily Dickinson before him, "Leo" will be more appreciated in his home country once he has left the artistic arena.
Jack Dyas,
London

Messi is something close to a mythical football machine, but wasn't it the same for Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká, who were also idolized to no end by journalists and fans? Everything has its time, but when it's over, it's over. For now, long may you reign, King Leo.
Aty Adejo,
Karu, Nigeria

Messi has won all the major honors except the World Cup. Winning it in 2014 is a must for him. Let's see.
Seow We Lit,
Kuala Lumpur

Messi, possibly the best ever? Pelé scored over 1,200 goals and won three World Cups. Pelé played top-class football for 18 years and excelled in dribbling, passing, heading, assistances — a complete player. Come back and tell us about Messi being an all-time great in 10 years.
James Wright,
São Paulo

Introverts, Unite!
Re "The Upside of Being an Introvert" [Feb. 6]: At last, a vindication of who I really am! After a lifetime of sticking to my guns regarding my tendency to avoid large groups (as in, "Yes, I really like you, but no, I don't want to go to your party"), I finally find a rational explanation for my preferences. I plan to send your article to the many friends and relatives who have posited their own sometimes unflattering theories about why I'd rather be alone.
Wendy Calkins,
Reno, Nev., U.S.

Introverted adults have mastered coping mechanisms like the writer's retreating to the bathroom at parties. (Helping in the kitchen and holding the baby also work.) Introverted kids are still learning to play by the extroverts' rules. I cringe when I see parents push too hard, and bless the rare teachers who are sensitive to shy students. Thanks for celebrating the quieter third of the population.
Catherine Pagliuca,
Woodbridge, N.J., U.S.

I'm an introvert teacher who, after 20 years as a TIME subscriber, has read the most comforting article of this magazine. In a world dominated by extroverts, I've borne my condition as a stigma, and this contribution describes it not only as natural but also a positive. I will remember these words every time I see a call for Friday dinner at my workplace.
Ramón Pascual Domínguez,
Puerto De Sagunto, Spain

Paterno's Legacy
In the end, Joe Paterno's life certainly took some unfortunate turns [Milestones, Feb. 6]. To say that "he died a tragic figure," however, is a misrepresentation of a good man and a disservice to your readers. The many testimonials to his commitment and service to Penn State reflect an exceptional human being and a life well lived. They greatly outweigh any omissions for which Paterno may have been responsible.
Chip Fossett,
Reading, Pa., U.S.

Political Insight
Andrew Ferguson's column "A Newt for All Seasons" was funny and insightful about the chameleonesque candidate who can change his persona to fit any audience [Feb. 6]. I continue to be impressed with the way Gingrich can ignore any question and blame all of our problems on D.C. insiders and the media. I hope we'll hear more from Ferguson in the future.
Randy Oates,
Punta Gorda, Fla., U.S.

One Woman's Opinion
Re "Capitalism Under Fire" [Feb. 6]: In your Davos debate, Sharan Burrow said the least of the five panelists, but she stated the only useful and indisputable fact: "We've lost our moral compass."
Bill Martin,
Valentine, Australia

Make It Elsewhere
Finally, the misery of the U.S. manufacturing industry is uncovered ["The Case for Making It in the USA," Feb. 6]. A simple policy could be to ally the U.S. inventors and competitive manufacturers in Asia to produce products in Central America and South America. That way, the invention stealing could be avoided and the countries of Central and South America get a chance to develop.
Huang Chin-yin,
Taichung, Taiwan

Lost Heritage
Re "The World Heritage Hustle" [Feb. 6]: I grew up in the Heritage site of Malacca, Malaysia, and after many years away, I returned to find that the quaint, narrow streets had been turned into souvenir shops and cafés. The significant changes really took away the true essence of the city I once knew. The designation of UNESCO World Heritage sites should be on the basis of a comprehensive preservation plan.
Jee Fan,
Napier, New Zealand