The most important thing... was to change their spirit; and since at that time I felt that literature was the best means to this end, I decided to promote literary movement.

Men who have not known the horror of death are not likely to be awed by it.

I thought: hope cannot be said to exist, nor can it be said not to exist. It is just like roads across the earth. For actually the earth had no roads to begin with, but when many men pass one way, a road is made.

Whoever thinks he is objective must already be half drunk.

To protect myself from the rear, I have to stand slantwise.

Though love is instinctive, it cannot develop without a certain stimulus and use.

Why should young people look for guides who hang out gided placards to advertise themselves? They would do better to look for friends, unite with them, and advance together towards some quarter where it seems possible to survive.