Then he made one last effort to search in his heart for the place where his affection had rotted away, and he could not find it.

Tell him yes. Even if you are dying of fear, even if you are sorry later, because whatever you do, you will be sorry all the rest of your life if you say no.

In all the houses keys to memorizing objects and feelings had been written. But the system demanded so much vigilance and moral strength that many succumbed to the spell of an imaginary reality, one invented by themselves, which was less practical for them but more comforting.

I’ve remained a virgin for you.

When you have a healthy appetite there is no such thing as bad bread.

I think that the idea that I'm writing for many more people than I ever imagined has created a certain general responsibility that is literary and political. There's even pride involved, in not wanting to fall short of what I did before.

The problem with marriage is that it ends every night after making love, and it must be rebuilt every morning before breakfast.