As long as the writer cannot write for the two billion men who are hungry, he will be oppressed by a feeling of malaise.

For an occurrence to become an adventure, it is necessary and sufficient for one to recount it.

In Guinea I could read [Franz] Kafka. I re-discover in him my own discomfort.

If I relegate impossible Salvation to the prop room, what remains? A whole man, composed of all men and as good as all of them and no better than any.

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 never could bear the idea of anyone's expecting something from me. It always made me want to do just the opposite.

It answers the question that was tormenting you: my love, you are not 'one thing in my life' - not even the most important - because my life no longer belongs to me because...you are always me.