Absolute virtue is impossible and the republic of forgiveness leads, with implacable logic, to the republic of the guillotine.

In normal times all of us know, whether consciously or not, that there is no love which can't be bettered; nevertheless, we reconcile ourselves more or less easily to the fact that ours has never risen above the average.

The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.

Do not be afraid of spending quality time by yourself. Find meaning or don’t find meaning but “steal” some time and give it freely and exclusively to your own self. Opt for privacy and solitude. That doesn’t make you antisocial or cause you to reject the rest of the world. But you need to breathe. And you need to be.

It is natural to give a clear view of the world after accepting the idea that it must be clear.

Something must happen; that is the reason for most human relationships. Something must happen; even servitude in love, in war, ordeath.

...there was only one thing that interested her and that was getting into bed with men whenever she'd the chance. And I warned her straight. 'You'll be sorry one day, my girl, and wish you'd got me back'.