Now, when I hear that Christians are getting together in order to defend the people of Israel, of course it brings joy to my heart. And it simply says, look, people have learned from history.

I shall always remember that smile. From what world did it come from?

I listen to music when I write. I need the musical background. Classical music. I'm behind the times. I'm still with Baroque music, Gregorian chant, the requiems, and with the quartets of Beethoven and Brahms. That is what I need for the climate, for the surroundings, for the landscape: the music.

My God was never happiness, but to understand and be understood.

Whatever you think in life... think higher and feel deeper.

When has religion ever been unifying? Religion has introduced many wars in this world, enough bloodshed and violence.

We're both [with Elie Wiesel] a long way from the position of the so-called Biblical minimalists. Some of them see no history in the Bible until Josiah.