Women are the victims of this patriarchal culture, but they are also its carriers. Let us keep in mind that every oppressive man was raised in the confines of his mothers home. – Shirin Ebadi
When we criticize in Iran the actions of the government, the fundamentalists say that we and the Bush Administration are in the same camp. The funny thing is that human rights activists and Mr. Bush can never be situated in the same group. – Shirin Ebadi
Human rights is a universal standard. It is a component of every religion and every civilization. – Shirin Ebadi
We must not enable anyone to impose his personal view regarding religion on others by force, oppression, or pressure. – Shirin Ebadi
Practical life teaches us that people may differ and that both may be wrong: it also teaches us that people may differ and both be right. Anchor yourself fast in the latter faith, or the former will sweep your heart away. – Augustus William Hare and Julius Charles Hare, Guesses at Truth, by Two Brothers