I realize that the strivings of the Polish people gave rise, and still do so, to the feelings of understanding and solidarity all over the world.

Dictators and oppressors should continue to fear me because I will be here for a long time.

[Without Pope John Paul II] there would be no end of Communism or at least much later, and the end would have been bloody.

Freedom must be gained step by step, slowly. Freedom is a food which must be carefully administered when people are too hungry for it.

Power is only important as an instrument for service to the powerless.

I am overjoyed that I do not need a heart transplant at this time.

When I recall my own path of life I cannot but speak of the violence, hatred and lies. A lesson drawn from such experiences, however, was that we can effectively oppose violence only if we ourselves do not resort to it.