I think comedy is a good way to help people change their minds. I think that if you're laughing and getting a message across, it's a lot easier than when somebody is screaming in your face.

Americans don't know a lot about the Middle East - [they] don't know we laugh.

When I told my parents I wanted to be an actor, my mom was, like, I think I heard you say lawyer.

You know, funny can be universal.

If you do finish the book and are still scared of me and people of my ilk, then I recommend you schedule an appointment with a therapist. Either that, or try writing your own book

Follow your heart. Do what you love. Because I was constantly struggling with that. If it's in your heart, go for it. Don't listen to other people.

One thing about D.C. that's funny to me is that you end up running into famous political figures who you've seen on television who you think are not real until you see them.

I've made enough jokes about Iran's leadership that I'm sure if I showed up that I would get a nice escort - to the main prison - and then I could do a show there.

I remembered, like, when 'Not When My Daughter' came out, I'm serious, I think dating for Iranian men became a lot harder. Dude's name, Shahrokh - became Tony. Mehsud became Mike.

The Celestial (Heavenly Gods) become pleased with the one who isn’t hungry for fame and recognition. The whole world can be pleased with us, but because of our hunger they are not pleased with us.

You get lucky when you are well prepared for the opportunity.

I see, these books are probably law books, and it is an essential part of the justice dispensed here that you should be condemned not only in innocence but also in ignorance.

Take a woman talking, purging herself with rhymes, drumming words out like a typewriter, planting words in you like grass seed. You'll move off.

Blessedness is not the reward of virtue but virtue itself.

Elections aren't just about who votes, but who doesn't vote.

Doubt always coexists with faith, for in the presence of certainty who would need faith at all?

It's one thing to have the attitude of enlightenment and another thing to act in an enlightened way, which is conduct or activity.

This is that law of the Gospel; whatsoever you require that others should do to you, that do ye to them.

But I had a very traditional background as well. My parents are neat people.