When a person tries to act in accordance with his conscience, when he tries to speak the truth, when he tries to behave like a citizen, even in condi… - Václav Havel

The dissident does not operate in the realm of genuine power at all. He is not seeking power. He has no desire for office and does not gather votes. He does not attempt to charm the public, he offers nothing and promises nothing. His actions simply articulate his dignity as a citizen, regardless of the cost.

Let us teach ourselves and others that politics should be an expression of a desire to contribute to the happiness of the community rather than of a need to cheat or rape the community.

I regimi totalitari non sono semplicemente dei vicini pericolosi e, ancor meno, una sorta di avanguardia del progresso del mondo. Ahimè, sono l’esatto contrario: l’avanguardia di una crisi globale di questa civiltà, prima europea, poi euroamericana e, in ultima istanza, globale.