Breivik said he would do it all again and asked to be acquitted.
Although he admits the bombing and attack on a youth camp, he has pleaded not guilty to terror and mass murder.
"These acts are based on goodness, not evil," he said, adding that he had toned down his rhetoric out of concern for the victims.
As he closed his statement, pressed by the judge, Breivik said that he acted to defend Norway against immigration and multi-culturalism.
After a lunch break, the prosecution began its cross-examination of Breivik. Topics covered include his choice of uniform and his claim to be a member of the Knights Templar group, which the prosecution has previously asserted does not exist.
Breivik insisted the group did have a few members, but conceded that the language he used to describe it may have been "pompous". He also implied that he drew inspiration for his strategies from al-Qaeda.
Earlier, Breivik's lawyers warned that many Norwegians would find his comments upsetting. Geir Lippestad also said that he understood concerns by victims' families that Breivik would use his trial as a pulpit, but added that Breivik had a right to explain himself.
His testimony and that of his witnesses will not be broadcast. His testimony is expected to last for five days.
Breivik's evidence will be crucial in working out if he is criminally insane and psychiatrists in court have been observing him closely.
One of the questions at the very heart of this trial, which is expected to last for 10 weeks, is Breivik's mental state. He has already said that he does not recognise the court.
Despite repeated interruptions from the judge to cut down his speech, Breivik insisted that he had more to say, although he agreed to limit his comments to Norway.
Breivik's comments have ranged from vehement criticisms of liberalism and multi-culturalism to claims that he "supports the model in South Korea and Japan".
his comments about Norway fit in with his belief that liberal ideals are ruining Norway and are the reason why he attacked the governing Labour party summer camp on Utoeya island and government offices.
"I am not scared by the prospect of being in prison all my life. I was born in a prison where I could not express my beliefs," he told the court, adding: "This prison is called Norway".
Breivik said he was speaking as a representative of a Norwegian and European "resistance movement".
As the day began, the court was briefly adjourned and one of three lay judges dismissed for saying last July that Breivik should face the death penalty.
Source: BBC News
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