My father was a saint. He was the closest thing to a saint that you can find in a normal man.

I like to think I've provided this faith. I also think that by providing faith, I've focused their pride. I say focused because pride isn't something you give. It doesn't even break out suddenly; it's a feeling that grows very slowly, very confusedly.

At no point, at a very important point: that of having convinced the Indians that they can do things.

Do you know why I won the last elections? It was because the people liked me, yes, because I had worked, yes, but also because the opposition had behaved badly toward me. And do you know why I won this war? Because my army was able to do it, yes, but also because the Americans were on the side of Pakistan.

The old need the company of the young so that they renew their contact with life.

Defeats are always pitiful. Victories are always last resources.

How can anybody who is the head of a nation afford not to be a prag-matist?