"Some of my friends became gangsters. You became a gangster depending upon how fast you wanted a suit. Gangsters weren't the stereotypes you see in the movies. I knew the real ones, and the real ones were out for big money."

"Anytime you interfere with a natural process, you're playing God. God determines what happens naturally. That means when a person's ill, he shouldn't go to a doctor because he's asking for interference with God's will. But of course, patients can't think that way."

"The American people are sheep. They're comfortable, rich, working. It's like the Romans, they're happy with bread and their spectator sports. The Super Bowl means more to them than any right."

"I'm not lying to myself like most people."

"I don't persuade to suicide."

"What looks like enjoyment is the sneer of contempt. That's not a smile."

"I'm for absolute autonomy of the individual, and an adult, competent woman has absolute autonomy. It's her choice."

"The Supreme Court of the United States... has validated the Nazi method of execution in... concentration camps, starving them to death."

"The single worst moment of my life... was the moment I was born."

"Let's hope you feel better now."

"All the big powers they've silenced me. So much for free speech and choice on this fundamental human right."

"We are all terminal."

"Am I a criminal? The world knows I'm not a criminal. What are they trying to put me in jail for? You've lost common sense in this society because of religious fanaticism and dogma."

"Maybe I won't stay out of prison. Who knows?"

"First of all, do any of you here think it's a crime to help a suffering human end his agony? Any of you think it is? Say so right now. Well, then, what are we doing here?"

"I have a natural right to do whatever I want with my body... as long as it doesn't affect anybody else or any other property."

"The patient decides when it's best to go."

"Among doctors in general, I think more than half support what I'm doing."

"My religion centers in different areas than what's considered conventional religion."

"You can cite me for contempt, Your Honor. I don't care."

"A transfer of money should never be involved in this profound situation. Although illness is profound, too, but medicine's a business today. It's a business."

"I will go to what they call a court. Only they call it a court."

"Listen, when you take my liberty away, you've taken away more-something more precious than life. I mean, what good is a life without liberty? Huh? None."

"Not one has shown an iota of fear of death. They want to end this agony."