I'm not advocating the strenuous life for everyone or trying to say it's the choice form of life. Anyone who's had the luck or misfortune to be an athlete has to keep his body in shape. The body and mind are closely coordinated. Fattening of the body can lead to fattening of the mind. I would be tempted to say that it can lead to fattening of the soul, but I don't know anything about the soul.

Those who say they want to be writers, and aren’t writing, don’t.

There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self.

Man is not made for defeat.

Having books published is very destructive to writing. It is even worse than making love too much. Because when you make love too much at least you get a damned clarte that is like no other light. A very clear and hollow light.

There is no friend as loyal as a book.

Don't do what you sincerely don't want to do. Never confuse movement with action.