Today I know that all things are watching, that nothing goes unseen, that even wallpaper has a better memory than human beings.

Translation is that which transforms everything so that nothing changes.

I don't believe in writing at night because it comes too easily. When I read it in the morning it's not good. I need daylight to begin. Between nine and ten o'clock I have a long breakfast with reading and music.

I was assigned to the Waffen-SS but was never involved in any crime. Besides, I always felt the need to write about my experiences in a larger context one day. This has only developed recently, now that I have overcome my inner aversion to writing an autobiography in the first place, specifically one having to do with my younger years.

As a child I was a great liar. Fortunately my mother liked my lies. I promised her marvelous things.

Whenever there has been talk of exterminating rats, others, who were not rats, have been exterminated.

How easily the routine of sin establishes itself.