If Turkey become a member of the EU, of course Turks would lose a part of this identity, just as Europe would lose a part of its own. It would also be a different Europe then. Accepting Turkey into the EU is an ambitious political endeavor of historical proportions. Europe would become a strong, multi-religious unit.

Books, which we mistake for consolation, only add depth to our sorrow.

East and West are coming together. Whether in peace or anarchy - they are coming together. There needn't be a clash between East and West, between Islam and Europe.

Happiness is holding someone in your arms and knowing you hold the whole world.

Great changes in the direction of peace have often come from people who were no great advocates of peace to begin with.

In the mornings I used to say goodbye to my wife like someone going to work. I'd leave the house, walk around a few blocks, and come back like a person arriving at the office.

I very much enjoy reading other writers' diaries, mainly because it makes me ask myself: Are they like you? How do they think?