Just as the habit does not make the monk, the sceptre does not make the king.

Words were not given to man in order to conceal his thoughts.

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.

Today's bread does not eliminate yesterday's hunger, much less that of tomorrow.

As so often happens, the thing left undone tires you most of all, you only feel rested when it has been accomplished.

Every thing in life is a uniform; the only time our bodies are truly in civilian dress is when we're naked.

Blessed be the night, which conceals and protects things fair and foul with the same indifferent mantle.