And the big question for the West, of course, and to the Europeans is, what other countries, which were formerly part of the Soviet bloc, should be incorporated into western institutions?

Expectations should not always be taken as reality; because you never know when you will be disappointed.

But then I came to the conclusion that no, while there may be an immigration problem, it isn't really a serious problem. The really serious problem is assimilation.

Partial truths or half-truths are often more insidious than total falsehoods.

Power remains strong when it remains in the dark; exposed to the sunlight it begins to evaporate.

Many more people in the world are concerned about sports than human rights.

Some Westerners […] have argued that the West does not have problems with Islam but only with violent Islamist extremists. Fourteen hundred years of history demonstrate otherwise.

It will take a long time, and certainly the West will remain the dominant civilization well into the next century, but the decline is occurring.

The relations between countries in the coming decade are most likely to reflect their cultural commitments, their cultural ties and antagonism with other countries.

Global politics remains extremely complex and countries have different interests, which will also lead them to make what might seem as rather bizarre friends and allies.

Nationalism is a central ideology for people who are trying to establish their own states in which they can play a dominant role.

Love is also a violence, and cannot be undone.

It is interesting how - depending on the person in power - our LGBT issues are either right at the top of the list - or right at the very bottom. And almost always for exactly the wrong reasons.

The warrior who's strength is not to fight.

The inner man has access to the sense organs of god.

At 78 years old, I am not surprised at much anymore. Germany has taken divergent positions before, so has France, so has England, so has the US.

And what can we expect if we haven't any dinner, But to lose our teeth and eyelashes and keep on growing thinner?

Let nothing disturb thee, Nothing affright thee; All things are passing; God never changeth; Patient endurance Attaineth to all things; Who God possesseth In nothing is wanting; Alone God sufficeth.

I would rather call a girl beautiful or pretty; rather than hot or sexy.

The closeness of reality and the distance of myth, because if there is no distance you aren't amazed, and if there is no closeness you aren't moved.

We all make our limits, and we set them further out than we have any right.