A man should know about himself two or three things: whether he is a coward; whether he is an honest man or given to lies; whether he is an ambitious man. One should define oneself first of all in those terms, and only then in terms of culture, race, creed.

Poetry is rather an approach to things, to life, than it is typographical production.

Poetry is what is gained in translation.

When Thomas Mann arrived in California from Germany, they asked him about German literature. And he said, 'German literature is where I am.' It's really a bit grand, but if a German can afford it, I can afford it.

No matter under what circumstances you leave it, home does not cease to be home. No matter how you lived there - well or poorly.

The government, the state, they're just objects of jokes rather than serious consideration. I can't possibly take them seriously.

What should I say about life? That it's long and abhors transparence.