Cultivate your Futurism. I'll cultivate my Döblinism.

The subject of the novel is reality liberated from soul. The reader in complete independence presented with a structured process:let him evaluate it, not the author. The façade of the novel cannot be other than stone or steel, flashing electrically or dark, but silent.

No country is so peaceful as the one that leads into death. Life arches above one's head like a bridgespan, and below it flows the water, carries the boat, takes it further.

Writing is not chewing your nails and picking your teeth, but a matter of public interest.

But the main things about a man are his eyes and his feet. He should be able to see the world and go after it.

Revolution? Unscrew the flag-staff, wrap the bunting in the oil covers, and put the thing in the clothes-chest. Let the old lady bring you your house-slippers and untie your fiery red necktie. You always make revolutions with your mugs, your republic--nothing but an industrial accident.

The German Reich is a Republic, and whoever doesn't believe it gets one in the neck.