For a deed to be totally pure, it must be done without any thought of reward, whether worldly or divine.

One murder makes a villain, millions often a hero.

What the result means is that the Franco-German axis is in serious trouble. It's the end of a phase which began in 2002.

If you overpower your enemy, then pardon him by way of thankfulness to Allah, for being able to subdue him.

We may put too high a premium on speech from platform and pulpit, at the bar and in the legislative hall, and pay dear for the whistle of our endless harangues. England and especially Germany, are less loquacious, and attend more to business. We let the eagle, and perhaps too often the peacock, scream.

What's wonderful is to read the different translations - some done in 1600 and some in 1900 - of the same passage. It's fascinating to watch the same tale repeated in such a different way by two different centuries.

If there is anything the nonconformist hates worse than a conformist, it's another nonconformist who doesn't conform to the prevailing standard of nonconformity.