...and the cries of the birds and the uproar of the monkeys became more and more remote, and the world became eternally sad. The men on the expedition felt overwhelmed by their most ancient memories in that paradise of dampness and silence, going back to before original sin, as their boots sank into pools of steaming oil and their machetes destroyed bloody lilies and golden salamanders.

She knew that he loved her above all else, more than anything in the world, but only for his own sake.

A famous writer who wants to continue writing has to be constantly defending himself against fame.

This was when she asked him whether it was true that love conquered all, as the songs said. 'It is true', he replied, 'but you would do well not to believe it.

Hate and love are reciprocal passions.

It's enough for me to be sure that you and I exist at this moment.

we had made love without love, half-dressed most of the time and always in the dark so we could imagine ourselves as better than we were.