The ear has to be educated if one wishes to appreciate musical sounds, just as the eyes must learn to distinguish the value of words.

The attitude of insolent haughtiness is characteristic of the relationships Americans form with what is alien to them, with others.

Globalization is a form of totalitarianism... It is the rich who rule, and the poor live as they can.

Writer's make national literature, while translators make universal literature.

I can't imagine myself outside any kind of social or political involvement. Yes, I'm a writer, but I live in this world, and my writing doesn't exist on a separate level. And if people know who I am and read my books, well, good; that way, if I have something more to say, then everyone benefits.

...you have to leave the island in order to see the island, that we can't see ourselves unless we become free of ourselves, Unless we escape from ourselves you mean, No, that's not the same thing.

People might ask me, What do you propose instead? I propose nothing. I am a mere novelist, I just write about the world as I see it. It is not my job to transform it. I cannot transform it all by myself, and I wouldn't even know how to. I limit myself to saying what I believe the world to be.