Because the Nazi venom worked its way even into our thoughts, every accurate thought was a conquest; because an all-powerful police sought to force us into silence every word became as precious as a declaration of principle; because we were persecuted, each of our gestures carried the weight of a commitment.

Man is always a wizard to man, and the social world is at first magical.

I considered calmly that I was born to write.

I have seen children dying of hunger. Over against a dying child La Nausee cannot act as a counterweight.

It's quite an undertaking to start loving somebody. You have to have energy, generosity, blindness. There is even a moment right at the start where you have to jump across an abyss: if you think about it you don't do it.

Ah! yes, I know: those who see me rarely trust my word: I must look too intelligent to keep it.

Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does.