Personal desire, age, and my health do not allow me to personally have a role in running the country [i.e. Iran] after the fall of the current system [of the Shah].

We are not afraid of economic sanctions or military intervention. What we are afraid of is Western universities.

Americans are the great Satan, the wounded snake.

Islamic state means a state based on justice and democracy and structured upon Islamic rules and laws.

Islam is politics or it is nothing.

After the Shah's departure from Iran, I will not become a president nor accept any other leadership role. Just like before, I limit my activities only to guiding and directing the people.

In the Islamic Republic the rights of the religious minorities are respectfully regarded.

If a fly gets into the throat of one who is fasting, it is not necessary to pull it out.

In Iran's future Islamic system everyone can express their opinion, and the Islamic government will respond to logic with logic.

The Imam throughout his life called America 'the Great Satan'. He believed that all the Muslims' problems were caused by America.

Those who say that we want nationality, they are standing against Islam....We have no use for the nationalists. Moslems are useful for us. Islam is against nationality.

The thought that I might kill myself formed in my mind coolly as a tree or a flower.

Everything you could ever wish for is just in reach. Work hard and never be afraid to ask for something.

Isn't it weird? The way you remember things when it's gone.

The prospect of going home is very appealing.

My early childhood was spent in Newark, New Jersey, but my family moved to Denver when I was 12.

Decay is quiet but ghastly, explosion is dramatic and dreadful. There's not much to choose between the two of them in reality, and most of our lives have sufficient of both.

I want to say, without hesitation, the purpose of our life is happiness.

I'm not sure how a world leader reacts to the work of a clown.

Some of the analysts were saying, Now you're a cash cow, there's no growth at all, pay it all out in dividends, give me it all, you can't invest wisely.

Even if you actually have the good intent to do something creative or special with your life, it's hard. I mean, look at the number of people who actually get the opportunity.