Total war is no longer war waged by all members of one national community against all those of another. It is total... because it may well involve the whole world.

Torture is senseless violence, born in fear... torture costs human lives but does not save them. We would almost be too lucky if these crimes were the work of savages: the truth is that torture makes torturers.

The individual's duty is to do what he wants to do, to think whatever he likes, to be accountable to no one but himself, to challenge every idea and every person.

There is no salvation anywhere. The idea of salvation implies the idea of an absolute.

I had spent my time counterfeiting eternity.

I have always been an optimist, perhaps even too much.

We cannot withdraw our cards from the game. Were we as silent and mute as stones, our very passivity would be an act.