“Iran began a policy of expanding its revolution, of interfering with the affairs of its neighbors”

We both have an interest in stable energy markets.

We warned when the crisis began in 2011 that unless it was resolved quickly

We both want a unified Syria that is stable in which all Syrians enjoy equal rights.

You cannot lecture another people about what you think is right or wrong based on your value system unless you’re willing to accept others imposing their value system on you.

Then I tell them: Don’t keep attacking us as you have done for the last years.

We want to have good ties with the Iranians, but if they want good ties with us

It is important that Bashar leaves in the beginning, not at the end of the process.

Twenty million Russians are Muslims.

Like Russia, we have an interest in fighting radicalism and extremism.

Just like we respect your legal system, you [europeans] should respect our legal system.

The longer it takes, the worse it will get.

Show me one Iranian diplomat we killed! I can show you many Saudi diplomats who were killed by Iran.

we will be prepared to participate with special forces.

We have no interest in seeing an unstable Yemen or seeing a Yemen that is devastated.

That would be a different story. But I don’t think World War III is going to happen in Syria.

Why would we not want to fight an ideology whose objective is to kill us?

The world, dear Agnes, is a strange affair.

Men have always looked before and after, and rebelled against the existing order. But for their divine discontent, men would not have been men, and there would have been no progress in human affairs.

Gold gives to the ugliest thing a certain charming air, For that without it were else a miserable affair.

The mind and spirit of man advance when he is tried by suffering. … so suffering and tribulation free man from the petty affairs of this worldly life until he arrives at a state of complete detachment.

Today the mass of the people are uninformed even as to ordinary affairs, how much less do they grasp the core of the important problems and complex needs of the time.

It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly. Do not mistake activity for achievement. Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs, therefore avoid undue elation in prosperity or undue depression in adversity.

When the shoe fits, the foot is forgotten. When the belt fits, the belly is forgotten. When the heart is right, “for” and “against” are forgotten. No drives, no compulsions, no needs, no attractions: Then your affairs are under control. You are a free man.

I am of certain convinced that the greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel.