We've had 60 years of intellectual development in Iran. How can we have the same system? Even theories of secularism are constantly being revised and changed.

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.

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

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.

Don't be nice to me. Be what your personality requires you to be. Be what your nature requires you to be. Be real. Don't pressurize yourself.

Our business is to be free of anything that separates us from God, who has created us to simply be happy and to progress.

If you’re an alcoholic or a drug addict, we flirt with death. We pull ourselves to the brink of destruction and if we’re lucky we pull ourselves back. We all have that in us.

Organized religion: The world's largest pyramid scheme.

I literally paid my way through the University of Texas with my umpiring.

When you're born in fire, smoke will never do.

Music is such an important element in creating the drama that a runway show needs in order to be memorable and to make the clothes come to life.

Truly, thoughts are things, and their scope of operation is the world itself.

In acute suffering the need for meaning is as strong or stronger than the need for happiness.

They say, "Gee, you look great." That means they thought you looked like hell before.