A work of art contains its verification in itself: artificial, strained concepts do not withstand the test of being turned into images; they fall to pieces, turn out to be sickly and pale, convince no one. Works which draw on truth and present it to us in live and concentrated form grip us, compellingly involve us, and no one ever, not even ages hence, will come forth to refute them.

Generosity is a two-edged virtue for an artist - it nourishes his imagination but has a fatal effect on his routine.

Scientific research? Only when not at the cost of ethics-and first of all, those of the researchers themselves.

For me faith is the foundation and support of one's life.

Economic growth is not only unncessary, but ruinous.

When you're cold, don't expect sympathy from someone who's warm.

Why can't you understand? The stars fall down now and then. The gaps have to be filled.