What do we mean by saying that existence precedes essence? We mean that man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world-and defines himself afterward.

What I ask of [the writer] is not to ignore the reality and the fundamental problems that exist. The world's hunger, the atomic threat, the alienation of man, I am astonished that they do not color all our literature.

A man who is free is like a mangy sheep in a herd. He will contaminate my entire kingdom and ruin my work.

Philosophy which does not help to illuminate the process of the liberation of the oppressed should be rejected.

Fear? If I have gained anything by damning myself, it is that I no longer have anything to fear.

The lad who dreams of being a boxing champion or an admiral chooses reality. If the writer chooses the imaginary, he confuses the two.

Words There is no good father, that's the rule. Don't lay the blame on men but on the bond of paternity, which is rotten. To beget children, nothing better; to have them, what iniquity!