"

An author in his book must be like God in the universe, present everywhere and visible nowhere.

"

Books aren’t made in the way that babies are: they are made like pyramids, There’s some long-pondered plan, and then great blocks of stone are placed ...more

"

The artist must manage to make posterity believe that he never existed.

"

The public wants work which flatters its illusions.

"

It seems to me, alas, that if you can so thoroughly dissect your children who are still to be born, you don’t get horny enough to actually to father t...more

"

You don't know what it is to stay a whole day with your head in your hands trying to squeeze your unfortunate brain so as to find a word.

"

Writing is a dog’s life, but the only one worth living.

"

When you reduce a woman to writing, she makes you think of a thousand other women

"

I am irritated by my own writing. I am like a violinist whose ear is true, but whose fingers refuse to reproduce precisely the sound he hears within.

"

In my view, the novelist has no right to express his opinions on the things of this world. In creating, he must imitate God: do his job and then shut ...more

"

You don’t make art out of good intentions.

"

I grew up in a hospital and as a child I played in the dissecting room

"

Better to work for yourself alone. You do as you like and follow your own ideas, you admire yourself and please yourself: isn’t that the main thing? A...more

"

One day, I shall explode like an artillery shell and all my bits will be found on the writing table.

"

The writer must wade into life as into the sea, but only up to the navel.