The introduction of religious passion into politics is the end of honest politics, and the introduction of politics into religion is the prostitution of true religion.

I regard freedom of expression as the primary right without which one can not have a proper functioning democracy.

The best way I know of to win an argument is to start by being in the right.

The moment politics becomes dull, democracy is in danger.

Mercy is not what every criminal is entitled to. What he is entitled to is justice.

Abuse is the very hallmark of liberty.

Political liberty is nothing else but the diffusion of power.

If dictatorship is the concentration of power, freedom consists in its diffusion.

You ought not to be ashamed of being bored. What you ought to be ashamed of is being boring.

A reasonable doubt is nothing more than a doubt for which reasons can be given. The fact that 1 or 2 men out of 12 differ from the others does not establish that their doubts are reasonable.

A politician who enters public life may as well face the fact that the best way of not being found out is not to do anything which, if found out, will cause his ruin.

In a totally dysfunctional society, the profession of a writer would not exist.

Saying 'I'm sorry' earns you my attention

I think my chances of ever making it into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame are about as good as Milli Vanilli’s.

Old truths and ancient magic, revolution and invention, all conspire to distract us from the passion that in one way or another defeats us all.

The elegance of staying with a moment, without needing to stop and change all the lighting, made [the alternative] seem lazy and indulgent.

Arrogance is a killer, and wearing ambition on one's sleeve can have the same effect. There is a fine line between arrogance and self-confidence.

I've got another friend who is half-German and half-Polish. He hates Jews but can't remember why!

If life gives you lemons, drink the juice in order to mask the presence of performing-enhancing drugs.

I went [to war] because I couldn't help it. I didn't want the glory or the pay; I wanted the right thing done.

If you want to discover new oceans, you must first have the courage to leave shore.