Reading is an activity subsequent to writing: more resigned, more civil, more intellectual.

I have no personal system of philosophy. I never attempt to do that. I am merely a man of letters.

Kafka had the sense of guilt. I don't think I have because I don't believe in free will. Because what I have done has been done, well, for me or through me. But I haven't done it really. But I don't believe in free will, I can't feel guilty.

The central fact of my life has been the existence of words and the possibility of weaving those words into poetry.

Each thing implies the universe.

I try to avoid purple patches, fine writing, all that kind of thing... because I think they're a mistake. And then sometimes it comes through and sometimes it doesn't, but that's not up to me. It's up to chance.

Chang Tzu tells us of a persevering man who after three laborious years mastered the art of dragon-slaying. For the rest of his days, he had not a single opportunity to test his skills.