Let the dog bark; the moon shall beam on.

I want the standard of living in Iran in ten years' time to be exactly on a level with that in Europe today. In twenty years' time we shall be ahead of the United States.

My main mistake was to have made an ancient people advance by forced marches toward independence, health, culture, affluence, comfort.

To be first in the Middle East is not enough. We must raise ourselves to the level of a great world power.

You approach the Mullahs as if they are normal people. They are not. You see them in your own image; you should not.

Muslim brothers be damned; they're our greatest enemies. You know yourself that I'm a Muslim, even a fanatical Muslim. But that does nothing to alter my opinion of the Arabs.

Thank God we in Iran have neither the desire nor the need to suffer from democracy.

My advisers built a wall between myself and my people. I didn't realize what was happening. When I woke up, I had lost my people.

Nobody can influence me, nobody. Still less a woman. Women are important in a man's life only if they're beautiful and charming and keep their femininity.

They want liberalization! I'll give them liberalization. I'll loosen the screws until the Americans beg me to tighten them again.

Shah is a kind of magic word with the Persian people.

It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.

It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill.

Trouble and pain were what kept a man alive. Or trying to avoid trouble and pain. It was a full time job.

I believe in letting each person find what they need and not getting involved with their destiny.

Remember to preserve a calm soul amid difficulties.

War doesn't negate decency. It demands it, even more than in times of peace.

If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.

Gratitude is the smile of love.

I'm not into the whole showbiz scene.

Her name's Prim. She's just twelve. And I love her more than anything.