Stephane hessel

As long as Palestinian violence exists, but not a Palestinian state, Israel is in danger, because it cannot obtain assistance from the international community against an entity that is not subordinate...

I've been tremendously lucky. I went through things that turned out wrong, and I got myself out of them.

The wealthy have installed their slaves in the highest spheres of the state. The banks are privately owned. They are concerned solely with profits. They have no interest in the common good.

Let us not be defeated by the tyranny of the world financial markets that threaten peace and democracy everywhere.

Death is something to savour, and I hope to savour mine.

I always say that when a country wins with such overwhelming might, it's bad news for that country.

For me, true and authentic democracy occurs when the privileged groups assist the unprivileged groups to become more privileged.

The revolutions of my century, the 20th century - the Soviet revolution, or the Chinese, or the revolutions that were fomented in Latin America, such as in Cuba - failed for the most part, a failure...

My mother once said to me, 'You must promise to be happy; it is the greatest favour you can do to others'. It has guided me throughout my life.

History can bring luck: this is what we can call optimism.