Servitude, in many cases, is not forced upon by the masters, but a temptation of the servants.

[Addressed to Berlusconi who wanted to impose himself on the editorial style of Il Giornale] In the art of entrepeneurship, you are certainly a genius, and I an asshole. But in the art of argument the genius is me, and you the asshole.

Which ever one of you will want to become a journalist, let him remember to choose his own master: the reader.

Men do not know how to appreciate and measure luck except that of others. Their own never.

A real writer [...] looks not in another writer but himself.

Italian husbands, in order to buy their wives a fur coat, spend more than all their European collegues.

Depression is a democratic sickness: it afflicts everyone.

The only advice that I'm in the mood to give - and that I give regularly - to young people is this: fight for what you believe in. You will lose, just like I have lost, all the battles. But only one you may win. The one that you engage every morning, in front of the mirror.

I know many crooks and they never preach, but I don't know anyone who preaches that isn't a crook also.

Also we Italians have something to Elvis Presley: to offer one of the rare occasions when we prefer to be Italian rather than American.

Pertini has interpreted as their best the worst about Italians.