Asking the author of historical novels to teach you about history is like expecting the composer of a melody to provide answers about radio transmission.

An author who sets about to depict events of the past that have run their course is suspected of wishing to avoid the problems of the present day, of being, in other words, a reactionary.

Ever since my youth it has disturbed me that of the literary works that survived their own epoch, so many dealt with historical rather than contemporary subjects.

Asking the author of historical novels to teach you about history is like expecting the composer of a melody to provide answers about radio transmission.

It is only the strong who are strengthened by suffering; the weak are made weaker.

Like the philosopher, the author views his task as one of establishing a clear connection between life and history, and of making the past bear fruit for the present and future.

An action doesn't have to be wrong just because it is not logical. It doesn't have to be right just because it has its logic.