[Paris] is dirty. It has pigeons and black yards. The people have white skin.

But do you know why we are always more just and generous toward the dead? The reason is simple. With them there is no obligation. They leave us free and we can take our time, fit the testimonial between a cocktail party and a nice little mistress, in our spare time, in short.

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

For what gives value to travel is fear. It breaks down a kind of inner structure we have. Travel robs us of such refuge. Far from our own people, our own language, stripped of all our props, deprived of our masks (one doesn't know the fare on the streetcars, or anything else), we are completely on the surface of ourselves.

he's incapable of suffering for a long time, or being happy for a long time. Which means that he's incapable of anything really worth while.

Our reason has driven all away. Alone at last, we end up ruling over a desert.

None of the evils which totalitarianism ... claims to remedy is worse than totalitarianism itself.