This is the role of writers: to turn their tears into a story - and perhaps into a prayer.

Remember also that it is not knowledge but the yearning for knowledge that makes for a complete, accomplished man. Such a man does not stand still but perseveres in the face of adversity, nor does he remain untouched by the pain cause by absence. On the contrary, he recognizes himself in each cry, uttered or repressed, in the smallest rift, in the most pressing need.

The story of Abraham and the sacrifice of Isaac are nowhere in any other tradition.

What all these victims need above all is to know that they are not alone; that we are not forgetting them, that when their voices are stifled we shall lend them ours, that while their freedome depends on ours, the quality of our freedom depends on theirs.

[Chinese] are a huge empire now, you'll soon be - in a few years two billion people in the world. So, you should be more compassionate, more understanding. And above all, you don't need all their trouble.

In order to fly, you have to give up the ground you are standing on.

Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must - at that moment - become the center of the universe.