I have reached the conviction that the abolition of the death penalty is desirable. Reasons: 1) Irreparability in the event of an error of justice, 2) Detrimental moral influence of the execution procedure on those who, whether directly or indirectly, have to do with the procedure.

We believe that an informed citizenry will act for life and not for death.

What is the meaning of human life, or of organic life altogether? To answer this question at all implies a religion.

I have remained a simple fellow who asks nothing of the world; only my youth is gone - the enchanting youth that forever walks on air.

If you want your children to be smart, tell them stories. If you want them to be really smart, tell them more stories. If you want your children to be brilliant, tell them even more stories.

Somebody who only reads newspapers and at best books of contemporary authors looks to me like an extremely near-sighted person who scorns eyeglasses. He is completely dependent on the prejudices and fashions of his times, since he never gets to see or hear anything else.

Isn't it strange that I who have written only unpopular books should be such a popular fellow?