Existence is not something which lets itself be thought of form a distance; it must invade you suddenly, master you, weigh heavily on your heart like a great motionless beast - or else there is nothing at all.

The consciousness that says 'I am' is not the consciousness that thinks.

To think new thoughts you have to break the bones in your head

I am not recommending "popular" literature which aims at the lowest.

When my relations with the Communist Party gave me the necessary perspective I decided to write my autobiography. I wanted to show how a man can pass from literature held sacred to action which nevertheless remains that of an intellectual.

To choose not to choose is still to act.

I do not believe in God; his existence has been disproved by Science. But in the concentration camp, I learned to believe in men.