You wear yourself out in the pursuit of wealth or love or freedom, you do everything to gain some right, and once it's gained you take no pleasure in it.

Arafat contradicts himself every five minutes. He always plays the double-cross, lies even if you ask him what time it is.

True power does not need arrogance, a long beard and a barking voice. True power strangles you with silk ribbons, charm and intelligence.

Khomeini was not a puppet like Arafat or Qaddafi or the many other dictators I met in the Islamic world. He was a sort of Pope, a sort of king - a real leader.

The increased presence of Muslims in Italy and in Europe is directly proportional to our loss of freedom.

I have always looked on disobedience toward the oppressive as the only way to use the miracle of having been born.

I cry, sometimes, because I'm not 20 years younger, and I'm not healthy. But if I were, I would even sacrifice my writing to enter politics.