“This is the role of writers: to turn their tears into a story – and perhaps into a prayer.”

We must not see any person as an abstraction. Instead, we must see in every person a universe with its own secrets, with its own treasures, with its own sources of anguish, and with some measure of triumph.

Most people think that shadows follow, precede or surround beings or objects. The truth is that they also surround words, ideas, desires, deeds, impulses and memories.

Once upon a time refugee meant somebody who has a refuge, found a place, a haven where he could find refuge.

Once you bring life into the world, you must protect it. We must protect it by changing the world.

The opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. Indifference creates evil. Hatred is evil itself. Indifference is what allows evil to be strong, what gives it power.

What is man? Hope turned to dust. No. What is man? Dust turned to hope.

In order to fly, you have to give up the ground you are standing on.

Just as man cannot live without dreams, he cannot live without hope. If dreams reflect the past, hope summons the future.

Whoever survives a test, whatever it may be, must tell the story. That is his duty.

The philosophers are wrong: it is not words that kill, it is silence.

There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.

Suffering pulls us farther away from other human beings. It builds a wall made of cries and contempt to separate us.

What hurts the victim most is not the cruelty of the oppressor, but the silence of the bystander.

Gratitude is a word that I cherish. Gratitude is what defines the happiness and humanity of the human being.

Every single human being is a unique human being. And, therefore, it’s so criminal to do something to that human being, because he or she represents humanity.

All collective judgments are wrong. Only racists make them. No human race is superior; no religious faith is inferior.

You would be so proud of me, if you knew of all the ways i’ve turnt my pain into art.

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.

Learning is a gift. Even if pain is the teacher.

Change is painful, but nothing is as painful as being stuck somewhere you don’t belong.

You don’t deserve to be in pain due to someone else’s actions.

Patience is of two kinds: patience over what pains you, and patience against what you covet.

An apology not always heal your pain.

Pain helps you create a better future for yourself.