A madman's ravings are absurd in relation to the situation in which he finds himself, but not in relation to his madness.

Something begins in order to end: an adventure doesn't let itself be extended it achieves significance only through its death.

What I lacked [in La Nausee] was a sense of reality. I have changed since. I have slowly learned to experience reality.

I committed the first crime by creating men as mortals. After that, what more could you do, you the murderers? Come on; they already had death in them: at most you simply hastened things a little.

From the period when I wrote La Nausea I wanted to create a morality. My evolution consists in my no longer dreaming of doing so.

I should wish [Alain Robbe-Grillet] to realize that Guinea exists.

All I can do is make the best of what I am, become accustomed to it, evaluate the possibilities, and take advantage of them the best I can.