The deeper the nostalgia and the more complete the fear, the purer, the richer the word and the secret.

I remember, May 1944: I was 15-and-a-half, and I was thrown into a haunted universe where the story of the human adventure seemed to swing irrevocably between horror and malediction.

Most people think that shadows follow, precede or surround beings or objects. The truth is that they also surround words, ideas, desires, deeds, impulses and memories.

When I say it doesn't make much difference, I mean in terms of the importance of the piece of literature.

Our obligation is to give meaning to life and in doing so to overcome the passive, indifferent life.

My faceless neighbor spoke up: “Don’t be deluded. Hitler has made it clear that he will annihilate all Jews before the clock strikes twelve.” I exploded: “What do you care what he said? Would you want us to consider him a prophet? His cold eyes stared at me. At last he said, wearily: “I have more faith in Hitler than in anyone else. He alone has kept his promises, all his promises, to the Jewish people.

Tibet's a tragedy. It's an insult to human decency.