(FORTUNE Magazine) – J. MICHAEL FARREN, 37, U.S. under secretary of commerce for international trade, on America's commitment to free trade: ''No country with a $120 billion trade deficit can be called protectionist.''

JOSEPH DUCANTO, 62, Chicago lawyer, on female clients who have used their divorce settlements to launch their own businesses: ''I've seen these women take off like gangbusters and become whole.''

GEORGE J. MITCHELL, 56, U.S. Senator (D-Maine) and majority leader, on the consensus among party leaders on how to respond to Senator Moynihan's proposal to cut Social Security taxes: ''One, we ought to act in concert. Two, we can't agree on what we should do.''