Pride works from within; it is the direct appreciation of oneself.

All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.

It is difficult to find happiness within oneself, but it is impossible to find it anywhere else.

The majority of men... are not capable of thinking, but only of believing, and... are not accessible to reason, but only to authority.

Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.

A man can be himself only so long as he is alone; and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom; for it is only when he is alone that he is really free.

Man is the only animal who causes pain to others with no other object than wanting to do so.

Genius and madness have something in common: both live in a world that is different from that which exists for everyone else.

A pessimist is an optimist in full possession of the facts.

Religions are like fireflies. They require darkness in order to shine.

Nature shows that with the growth of intelligence comes increased capacity for pain, and it is only with the highest degree of intelligence that suffering reaches its supreme point.

Seize the day and explore the allure of life.

Since I am I, I must make an act of self-surrender, however small or however easy, in living to God rather than to my self.

One day of pleasure is worth two of sorrow.

Tunisia is extremely dependent on economic conditions in Europe, which is why it also experienced shockwaves from the euro crisis.

Playing show after show is like my bread and butter.

A true woman always loves a real soldier.

There is no such thing as political science, but there are tenancies so strong that they might as well be called laws of nature.

It was terrible. All of the things we couldn't share. The room was filled with conversations we weren't having.

We are not so poor we must destroy our wilderness, nor so rich we can afford to.

Anton brings the camera. I'll bring a tuba, wear black, not shave, and take us to a burned-down Chinese restaurant. (On being photographed by his longtime photo collaborator Anton Corbijn)