"After its defeat in the Second World War, Japan, unlike Germany, failed to show true contrition or give a fulsome apology, though it showered its neighbours, including China, with generous economic assistance. Only in 1995 did it finally offer an apology, but this was of the most limited and formulaic kind."

"Without doubt, Malaysia is the great economic star of the Muslim world."

"Our ascendancy of the past two centuries - first Europe and then the U.S. - has bred a western-centric mentality: the West is the fount of all wisdom. We think of ourselves as open-minded, but our sense of superiority has closed our minds. We never entertained the idea that China could surpass the U.S."

"If the truth be told, we are a society that is dripping in racism. This is not in the least surprising. For the best part of two centuries, we British ruled the waves, controlled two-fifths of the planet, and believed it was our responsibility to bring civilisation to those who allegedly lacked it."

"There will be no lasting peace either in the heart of individuals or in social customs until death is outlawed."

"I argue thee that love is life. And life hath immortality."

"There never was any heart truly great and generous, that was not also tender and compassionate."

"It is a essential truth that peace of heart is the greatest luxury life can bestow upon the mortal traveler."