823 Quotes by Umberto Eco

Perhaps I am not as wise as I like to think I am.

Books are not made to be believed, but to be subjected to inquiry.

The wise man does not discriminate; he gathers all the shreds of light, from wherever they may come...

Every European goes on the streets and sees medieval churches. Not if you live in Indianapolis. The most exciting letters I received were from people in places like that.

But why doesn't the Gospel ever say that Christ laughed?" I asked, for no good reason. "Is Jorge right?" "Legions of scholars have wondered whether Christ laughed. The question doesn't interest me much. I believe he never laughed, because, omniscient as the son of God had to be, he knew how we Christians would behave. . . .

Fools are in great demand, especially on social occasions. They embarrass everyone but provide material for conversation. In their positive form, they become diplomats.

For the enemy to be recognized and feared, he has to be in your home or on your doorstep.

When one starts writing a book, especially a novel, even the humblest person in the world hopes to become Homer.

Terrorism [is] a biological consequence of the multinationals, just as a day of fever is the reasonable price of an effective vaccine . . . The conflict is between great powers, not between demons and heroes. Unhappily, therefore, is the nation that finds the "heroes" underfoot, especially if they still think in religious terms and involve the population in their bloody ascent to an uninhabited paradise.