I guess if people all followed the basic principles of their own religions, they would love everybody instead of hating half the world.

Book dedication To myself, without whose inspired and tireless efforts this book would not have been possible.

A true believer is a danger to humanity.

To ask to be forgiven is in part to acknowledge that the attitude displayed in our actions was such as might properly be resented and in part to repudiate that attitude for the future

I have music in my head constantly. I have to have a soundtrack in my head.

The history of each and every territory is written in the blood of those who died trying to fulfill the aspirations of their ambitious leaders.

Wer fremde Sprachen nicht kennt, weiss nichts von seiner eigenen.He who is ignorant of foreign languages, knows not his own.

That is again a romantic notion: the hero. I think people enjoy a much more levelled playing field where you have the ability for many people to become heroes.

Whoever listens to slander is himself a slanderer.

Everything that scares you is an opportunity to know your best self better.

Most honorable are services rendered to the State; even if they do not go beyond words, they are not to be despised.

Editing feels almost like sculpting or a form of continuing the writing process.

You cannot have victory without conflict.