High moral character is not a precondition for great moral accomplishments.

Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible, and demanding it at gunpoint.

The only real radicalism in our time will come as it always has—from people who insist on thinking for themselves and who reject party-mindedness.

When I went to Czechoslovakia under the old Communist regime one day in the '80s, I thought to myself whatever I do, whatever happens to me in Prague I'm not going to use the name Kafka, I'm just not going to do it. I won't do it; it's so easy, everyone else does, I'm not going to. I'll write the first non-Kafka mentioning piece.

Those who had alleged that a million civilians were dying from sanctions were willing, nay eager, to keep those same murderous sanctions if it meant preserving Saddam!

Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are God. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are God.

One can't indefinitely do for somebody what he is reluctant to do for himself.