The United Nations cannot stand by and witness the destruction of the people of West Papua.

Be so strong that no one can ignore you.

I have said democracy and freedom do not work too well if you are hungry, if you are starving.

Reverence invites Revelation

Do you know how hard it is to gather seventy thousand people? Especially people who are confused and scared that they might be eaten by hungry dinosaurs?

One yearns unspeakably for a composer who gives out his pair of honest themes, and then develops them unashamed, and then hangs a brisk coda to them, and then shuts up.

Wisdom consists in doing the next thing that you have to do, doing it with your whole heart and finding delight in it — and the delight is the sense of the sacred.

I can take criticisms but not compliments.

Money is the alienated essence of man's work and existence; this essence dominates him and he worships it.

One of life's quiet excitements is to stand somewhat apart from yourself and watch yourself softly becoming the author of something beautiful even if it is only a floating ash.

It seems to me that the best way will be the one that is most gentle and forbearing, which is more in conformity with the Spirit of Our Lord and more apt to win hearts.