... that maxim of Descartes: "Question everything!" Question everything!

Who has the skill to make a narrow, obstinate human being aware of others' far-off grief and joy, to make him understand dimensions and delusions he himself has never lived through? Propaganda, coercion, and scientific proofs are powerless. But happily, in our world there is a way. It is art, and it is literature.

Own only what you can always carry with you: know languages, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag.

Violence can only be concealed by a lie, and the lie can only be maintained by violence.

But nothing is all black in nature.

Only an extraordinary person can turn opportunity into reality.

Patriotism means unqualified and unwavering love for the nation, which implies not uncritical eagerness to serve, not support for unjust claims, but frank assessment of its vices and sins, and penitence for them.