“I feel safe in the midst of my enemies, for the truth is all powerful and will prevail.”

“All things are subject to interpretation. Whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.”

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German philosopher, poet, composer, cultural critic, and classical philologist

“When you cross any border there is always an uneasy moment when you feel yourself automatically an enemy. Artists don’t belong to any group or country... When you are living the truth, the world no longer exists, events become unimportant. But the way of truth is not easy.... if you are on the side of truth, you have no power. That’s why you are always defeated. The power, all the power, is on the side of the world... I have been completely absorbed in my adventure. No country, no family, no ties. I didn’t exist anymore. I just had to press on.”

Bram van Velde (1895–1981) Dutch painter

“Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man is safe in his opinions, his person, his faculties or his possessions.”

James Madison (1751–1836) 4th president of the United States (1809 to 1817)

“I tore myself away from the safe comfort of certainties through my love for truth — and truth rewarded me.”

Simone de Beauvoir (1908–1986) French writer, intellectual, existentialist philosopher, political activist, feminist, and social theorist

“Truth must the guide of those who hold the power; but humility is their sign, the promise that their privileges are in safe hands.”

Vincent Massey (1887–1967) Governor General of Canada

“I feel safe with him because he is so not my ideal and I feel like I can be myself because I'm not in love with him.”

Gary Shteyngart Super Sad True Love Story

“I thought to myself, saying: Thou hast now great busy-ness to keep thee in the Faith for that thou shouldst not be taken of the Enemy: wouldst thou now from this time evermore be so busy to keep thee from sin, this were a good and sovereign occupation! For I thought in sooth were I safe from sin, I were full safe from all the fiends of hell and enemies of my soul.”

Julian of Norwich (1342–1416) English theologian and anchoress

“You see, maybe all these feelings come about because one side wants to liberate itself with arms. But in my opinion, it is the good that prevails. You may live to see the day when good prevails — it will be after I am dead. But the time will come when my weapons will be no more used or necessary.”

Mikhail Kalashnikov (1919–2013) Soviet and Russian small arms designer

“My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. ”

Томас «Каменная Стена» Джексон (Стоунволл Джексон) (1824–1863)