Elie Wiesel

Historically, I come from Jewish history. I had the classic upbringing in the Yeshiva, learning, learning, and more learning. ”

Words can sometimes, in moments of grace, attain the quality of deeds. ”

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. ”

It used to be said that when the Baal Shem Tov came into a town, his impact was so strong, he didn't have to speak. His disciples had to dance or to sing or to preach to have the same effect. I think a real messenger, myself or anyone, by the very fact that he is there as a person, as a symbol, could have the same impact. ”

Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must - at that moment - become the center of the universe. ”

I remember, May 1944: I was 15-and-a-half, and I was thrown into a haunted universe where the story of the human adventure seemed to swing irrevocably between horror and malediction. ”

In the concentration camps, we discovered this whole universe where everyone had his place. The killer came to kill, and the victims came to die. ”

When my father was born, it was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. When I was born, it was Lithuania. When I left, it was Hungary. It is difficult to say where I come from. ”

In any society, fanatics who hate don't hate only me - they hate you, too. They hate everybody. ”

Someone who hates one group will end up hating everyone - and, ultimately, hating himself or herself. ”