Pertini has interpreted as their best the worst about Italians.

Democracy is always, by nature and constitution, the triumph of mediocrity.

Fascism rewarded jackasses in uniform. Democracy gives privileges to those in sports' gear. In Italy, political regimes come to pass. Jackasses remain. Triumphant.

The love of power excludes all others.

You give Italy Jesus Christ and you get the Roman Catholic Church.

Cynics are all moralists, and merciless too.

An Italian university is a contradiction in terms.

Which ever one of you will want to become a journalist, let him remember to choose his own master: the reader.

Servitude, in many cases, is not forced upon by the masters, but a temptation of the servants.

Politicians do nothing but ask of us, during every expiration of a legal statute, "a gesture of trust." But here trust is not enough; what's needed is an act of faith.

I know many crooks and they never preach, but I don't know anyone who preaches that isn't a crook also.

Innovations to which we are not committed are illuminating things.

I’ve named everything that I’ve ever owned. Real or inanimate, I have to give it a first and last name. Everything in my apartment comes alive at night.

A trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still more so.

Say what you have to say now! Don't wait until you're sending blips from the other side.

Yeah, that test says he's dumb as a fence post, but when he hits he looks like Einstein to me.

His letters ... have been like fine cold water when you are terribly thirsty.

Religion is a mixed blessing.

Having a voice unlike another means you've "found yourself" as a writer.

When God plays guitar he uses Jeff Beck's hands.

Most of the fans of John Lennon and maybe John and Yoko are younger than me.