A great writer is, so to speak, a second government in his country. And for that reason no regime has ever loved great writers, only minor ones.

For a country to have a great writer is like having another government. That's why no regime has ever loved great writers, only minor ones.

It is not because the truth is too difficult to see that we make mistakes... we make mistakes because the easiest and most comfortable course for us is to seek insight where it accords with our emotions - especially selfish ones.

Own only what you can carry with you; know language, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag.

Our envy of others devours us most of all.

It is time in the West to defend not so much human rights as human obligations.