Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness.

No animal shall kill any other animal WITHOUT CAUSE.

The fact is that certain themes cannot be celebrated in words, and tyranny is one of them. No one ever wrote a good book in praise of the Inquisition.

It is impossible to found a civilization on fear and hatred and cruelty. It would never endure.' 'Why not?' 'It would have no vitality. It would disintegrate. It would commit suicide.

I understand HOW. I do not understand WHY

What is not hereditary cannot be permanent.

I often wondered whether any of the others grasped that I had done it solely to avoid looking a fool.