624 Quotes by Elie Wiesel

How can one explain the attraction terror holds for some minds — and why for intellectuals? . . .In a totalitarian and terrorist regime, man is no longer a unique being with infinite possibilities and limitless choices but a number, a puppet, with just this difference — numbers and puppets are not susceptible to fear.

Perhaps some day someone will explain how, on the level of man, Auschwitz was possible; but on the level of God, it will forever remain the most disturbing of mysteries.

Writing should not be routine; writing should actually be the opposite of procedural because otherwise the written word would become a routine word.

To remain silent and indifferent is the greatest sin of all.

Anything you want to say about God you better make sure you can say in front of a pit of burning babies.

I was the accuser, God the accused. My eyes were open and I was alone - terribly alone in a world without God and without (hu)man(ity).

I'm a privileged person, I feel privileged because of who I am. I write books, I write novels, I write essays and I teach and I go from university to university. I'm one of the old, but I still go around, but I only see those who are not like that, I don't see the junk youth. I only meet students, and even those who are not formally at the university, if they come to listen to me, they come to read me, it means they are not junk students.

The most important question a human being has to face... What is it? The question, Why are we here?

Humanity? Humanity is not concerned with us. Today anything is allowed. Anything is possible.