One might think, that a period which, within fifty years, uproots, enslaves or kills seventy million human beings, should only, and forthwith, be condemned. But also its guilt must be understood.

... it is true that I do not respect [human life] more than I respect my own life. And if it is easy for me to kill, that is because it is difficult for me to die.

Somebody has to have the last word. If not, every argument could be opposed by another and we'd never be done with it.

Even when one sits in the prisoner's dock, it is interesting to hear talk about oneself.

God is not necessary to create culpability, or to punish. Our fellow men are enough for that, helped by ourselves.

If we understood the enigmas of life there would be no need for art.

What’s true of all the evils in the world is true of plague as well. It helps men to rise above themselves.