A man's passion for the mountain is, above all, his childhood which refuses to die.

The arrogance of poets is only a defense; doubt gnaws the greatest among them; they need our testimony to escape despair.

I love Germany so much I'm glad there are two of them.

Every novel worthy of the name is like another planet, whether large or small, which has its own laws just as it has its own flora and fauna.

To love someone is to see a miracle invisible to others.

Where does discipline end? Where does cruelty begin? Somewhere between these, thousands of children inhabit a voiceless hell.

The man who partakes in the breaking of the bread dares to build his house on the very core of love. He becomes, as it were, Godlike, but regardless of the strength he derives from it, his free will remains. We are always free to disown this immense grace, to abuse it. The Greatest Love may be betrayed. Fed on the Living Bread, we nevertheless conceal a part of ourselves which longs for swine's food.