Every day I shall put my papers in order and every day I shall say farewell. And the real farewell, when it comes, will only be a small outward confirmation of what has been accomplished within me from day to day.

- Etty Hillesum

Ultimately, we have just one moral duty: to reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves, more and more peace, and to reflect it towards others. And the more peace there is in us, the more peace there will be in our troubled world.

- Etty Hillesum

I think what weakens people most is fear of wasting their strength.

- Etty Hillesum

Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.

- Etty Hillesum

Greed probably figures in my intellectual life as well, as I attempt to absorb a massive amount of information with consequent mental indigestion.

- Etty Hillesum