The principal thing in the world is to keep the soul aloft.

Success is a consequence and must not be a goal.

The finest works of art are those in which there is the least matter. The closer expression comes to thought, the more the word clings to the idea and disappears, the more beautiful the work of art.

In my view, the novelist has no right to express his opinions on the things of this world. In creating, he must imitate God: do his job and then shut up.

The most important thing in the world is to hold your soul aloft.

You must write for yourself, above all. That is your only hope of creating something beautiful.

I have no use for the kind of God who goes walking in his garden with a stick, sends his friends to live in the bellies of whales, gives up the ghost with a groan and then comes back to life three days later!