Either we have hope within us or we don't It is a dimension of the soul, and is not essentially dependent on some particular observation of the World or observation of the situation. Hope is not prognostication. It is an orientation of the spirit, an orientation of the heart.

The real test of a man is not when he plays the role that he wants for himself but when he plays the role destiny has for him.

As in everything else, I must start with myself. That is: in all circumstances try to be decent, just, tolerant, and understanding, and at the same time try to resist corruption and deception. In other words, I must do my utmost to act in harmony with my conscience and my better self.

It is not enough to stare up the steps, we must step up the stairs.

I personally think President [Hosni] Mubarak, who's done a lot for Egypt, should acknowledge that his time has come and step down right away.

There can be no doubt that distrust of words is less harmful than unwarranted trust in them.

But if I were to say who influenced me most, then I'd say Franz Kafka. And his works were always anchored in the Central European region.