I consider Les Nourritures Terrestres as a frightening book: "Look for God in no other place than everywhere." Go and tell that to a workman, an engineer!

I do not understand! I understand nothing! I cannot understand nor do I want to understand! I want to believe! To Believe!

The form [of literature] matters little to me, classical or not.

If I did not publish this autobiography [Les Mots] sooner and in its most radical form, it is because I considered it exaggerated.

If you are lonely when you're alone, you are in bad company.

You see, the contemporary writer must write through his intimations of unease, while trying to elucidate them.

Good digestions, the gray monotony of provincial life, and the boredom-ah the soul-destroying boredom-of long days of mild content.