
“You are never stronger… than when you land on the other side of despair.”
Source: White Teeth
Playboy interview (May 1995)
Context: The left constantly identifies the pro-life advocates as misogynists and fanatics, but that doesn't represent most of those people. They are deeply religious and they truly believe that taking a life is wrong. If the left were to show respect for that position and acknowledge the moral conundrum of unwanted pregnancy, the opposition to abortion would lessen. We must acknowledge that people should be a little troubled by abortion. Not to acknowledge that this is a difficult decision is wrong. The procedure snuffs out a potential personality. … You have a stronger case if you give due respect to the other side. An abortion should be something that is wrestled with. And herein is the point. Though most people agree that abortion should be an option, there is something attractive about the deeply moral position of those against abortion, particularly when the other side is in a spiritual vacuum. There is nothing in kids' education anymore that tells them to revere anything. Traditional religions, with all their moral codes, are becoming increasingly attractive in light of the alternatives: the Prozac nation, or heroin, which has come back with a vengeance.
“You are never stronger… than when you land on the other side of despair.”
Source: White Teeth
Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought Acceptance Speech (2013)
“With all due respect, Mr President, you are an asshole.”
Mit Verlaub, Herr Präsident, Sie sind ein Arschloch.
Said to German Bundestag vice president Richard Stücklen after he excluded Jürgen Reents because he described Helmut Kohl as von Flick freigekauft [bought out by Flick) (1984-10-18); from S. Krause-Burger: Joschka Fischer. Der Marsch durch die Illusionen.
“This is how you start to get respect, by offering something that you have.”
Source: Tuesdays with Morrie
“And when a lady's in the case,
You know all other things give place.”
Fable L, "The Hare and many Friends"
Fables (1727)
“The way you give your name to others is a measure of how much you like and
respect yourself.”
[Merrick Garland, Confirmation hearing on nomination of Merrick Garland to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, United States Senate, December 1, 1995]; quote excerpted in:
[March 18, 2016, http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2016/03/16/judge-merrick-garland-in-his-own-words/, Judge Merrick Garland, In His Own Words, Joe Palazzolo, March 16, 2016, The Wall Street Journal]
Confirmation hearing on nomination to United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (1995)
“Treat any and all drugs with respect, for most of the time they are stronger than you are.”
Source: The Anarchist Cookbook (1971), Chapter One: "Drugs", p. 59.