We must struggle for creating a democratic system that is dedicated to democracy and human rights.

You cannot bring democracy to a country by attacking it.

Negotiation talks are the best way to solve anything. We must replace wars and weapons with negotiations and talks.

Revolutions invariably don't solve the issue of justice, and in its place, suppression and limiting freedom replaces that idea.

When there is a crisis, the first thing that gets damaged and gets harmed is democracy.

We should put away the militaristic outlook. The U.S. should start talking about disarmament, nuclear disarmament, of the region.

Religion is separate from the institution of the state.

When I talk about secularism, I'm talking about theories today. To give you for example, one example: Those who consider themselves followers of Mosaddeq today are adamantly against federalism.

The modern infrastructures that exists in the world all contribute to the advancement of human rights and democracy.

There is no possibility of a public demonstration [in Iran] of such defiance, but these defiant acts are certainly going on.

The number of the opposition has certainly increased [in Iran]. There is more disgruntlement, but because there is no media, the voice of this opposition is not heard outside Iran.

In every sphere of social interaction, that hermeneutic leap—that ability to put yourself in the mind frame of the other—is a virtue and a blessing.

Champions don't become champions in the field---they are merely recognized there.

Any design, whether its for a ship or an airplane, must be done in anticipation of potential failures.

I have a lot of stamina and I have a lot of resilience.

I've learned in my life that you really don't know what's possible until you're already doing it.

Why is it that for many persons changing others is so exciting and so relevant, while changing oneself is so boring and irrelevant?

You don't have to act as if you care; you just have to care enough to act.

Superstition is, always has been, and forever will be, the foe of progress, the enemy of education and the assassin of freedom.

It is comforting to think that we can love so powerfully that fate itself wheels and turns at the command of our souls.

A picture's worth a thousand words? A library card's worth millions.