Nothing can be more abhorrent to democracy than to imprison a person or keep him in prison because he is unpopular. This is really the test of civilization. 

Does anybody really think that they didn't get what they had because they didn't have the talent or the strength or the endurance or the commitment?

We can't afford to be killing one another.

I find my greatest pleasure, and so my reward, in the work that precedes what the world calls success.

Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms.

Democracy is when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers.

God may be subtle, but he isn't plain mean.

It is just that we should be grateful, not only to those with whose views we may agree, but also to those who have expressed more superficial views; for these also contributed something, by developing before us the powers of thought.

I don't stand for the black man's side, I don' t stand for the white man's side. I stand for God's side.

When you meet intellectuals wanting in common sense, your frustration knows no bounds.

Regrets are the natural property of gray hair.

The Chinese government wants me to say that for many centuries Tibet has been part of China. Even if I make that statement, many people would just laugh. And my statement will not change past history. History is history.