But the relationship of morality and power is a very subtle one. Because ultimately power without morality is no longer power.

God be thanked for books! They are the voices of the distant and the dead.

Years ago, when he was around fourteen, he'd been all hipped on the idea of going to India. He read books about people sitting on rocks, naked, in all kinds of weather, but mostly bad, naturally, and walking barefoot through hot coals and arriving at wisdom. I used to say that it sounded to me as though they were getting away from wisdom as fast as they could. I think he sort of looked down on me for that.

I want to be an honest man and a good writer.

The victim who is able to articulate the situation of the victim has ceased to be a victim: he or she has become a threat.

For nothing is more unbearable, once one has it, than freedom.

Any honest examination of the national life proves how far we are from the standard of human freedom with which we began. The recovery of this standard demands of everyone who loves this country a hard look at himself, for the greatest achievements must begin somewhere, and they always begin with the person.