The self-despisers are less intent on their own increase than on the diminution of others. Where self-esteem is unobtainable, envy takes the place of greed.

Self-righteousness is a loud din raised to drown the voice of guilt within us.

Where there is the necessary technical skill to move mountains, there is no need for the faith that moves mountains.

Totalitarianism spells simplification: an enormous reduction in the variety of aims, motives, interests, human types, and, above all, in the categories and units of power.

The benevolent despot who sees himself as a shepherd of the people still demands from others the submissiveness of sheep.

We cannot be sure that we have something worth living for unless we are ready to die for it.

It is to escape the responsibility for failure that the weak so eagerly throw themselves into grandiose undertakings.

We cannot win the weak by sharing our wealth with them. They feel our generosity as oppression.

Action can give us the feeling of being useful, but only words can give us a sense of weight and purpose.

Communists are frustrated capitalists.