The terrorists exist, and I think we must speak to them, not to establish a dialogue-since for serious terrorists that is unfortunately out of the question - but to learn how their brains work, to be better able to fight them.

I work even when I am on vacation. You know that line by Stéphane Mallarmé, "All earthly existence must ultimately be contained in a book"? I am the kind of person who finds life interesting only if it is translated into writing, if it is parsed into words.

The conservatives want to revolutionize the world all at once. And that's a dangerous proposal.

For me, dressing is always a question of principle, respect, a sense of order, not to disguise myself, even in rotten places.

France is a country where thinking is supposed to be furtive, invisible, almost clandestine. France is a country of cliques and sects.

It's true that in France there is always this ridiculous complex about money. Money is cursed, shameful, money disqualifies you . . . In America, even though it is a Protestant country, it's the opposite.

God is dead but my hair is perfect.