If I were asked to think up a new name for temptation, I should recommend the word 'doorknob', because what are these protuberances put on doors for if not to tempt us.

After the collapse of socialism, capitalism remained without a rival. This unusual situation unleashed its greedy and - above all - its suicidal power. The belief is now that everything - and everyone - is fair game.

Lies that do not hurt, which are different from lies that protect oneself or hurt another person. That is not my business. But the truth is mostly very boring, and you can help it along with lies. There is no harm in that.

What makes books - and with them writers - so dangerous that church and state, politburos and the mass media feel the need to oppose them?

Art is accusation, expression, passion. Art is black charcoal crushing white paper.

If I were asked to think up a new name for temptation, I should recommend the word 'doorknob', because what are these protuberances put on doors for if not to tempt us.

We already have the statistics for the future: the growth percentages of pollution, overpopulation, desertification. The future is already in place.