In the beginning there was faith - which is childish; trust - which is vain; and illusion - which is dangerous.

Though we talk peace, we wage war. Sometimes we even wage war in the name of peace. Does that seem paradoxical? Well, war is not afraid of paradoxes.

The sky is so close to the sea that it is difficult to tell which is reflected in the other, which one needs the other, which one is dominating the other.

One person of integrity can make a difference.

I was never without a book in my hand.

[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.

Ultimately, the only power to which man should aspire is that which he exercises over himself.