The terrible thing about terrorism is that ultimately it destroys those who practise it. Slowly but surely, as they try to extinguish life in others, the light within them dies. Terry Waite
Freeing hostages is like putting up a stage set, which you do with the captors, agreeing on each piece as you slowly put it together; then you leave an exit through which both the captor and the captive can walk with sincerity and dignity. Terry Waite
This might sound arrogant, but I told the terrorist. ‘You can harm my body, you can harm my mind, but you can’t harm my soul. That is mine.’ Terry Waite
I remember saying three things to myself after I was taken hostage which somehow stood me in good stead. No regrets – you haven’t done everything correctly, you’re bound to have made mistakes, but stick by what you’ve done. No self pity – don’t begin to feel sorry for yourself, there are loads of people who are in worse situations than yourself. And no over-sentimentality – don’t look back and say, ‘If only I’d spent more time with the family and had longer holidays – life has been lived, you cannot re-live it’. Terry Waite