In any society, the artist has a responsibility. His effectiveness is certainly limited and a painter or writer cannot change the world. But they can keep an essential margin of non-conformity alive. Thanks to them the powerful can never affirm that everyone agrees with their acts. That small difference is important.

A writer or painter cannot change the world. But they can keep an essential margin of nonconformity alive.

I would give my life for a man who is looking for the truth. But I would gladly kill a man who thinks that he has found the truth.

If the devil were to offer me a resurgence of what is commonly called virility, I'd decline. ''Just keep my liver and lungs in good working order,'' I'd reply, ''so I can go on drinking and smoking!''

God and Country are an unbeatable team; they break all records for oppression and bloodshed.

Our memory is our coherence, our reason, our feeling, even our action. Without it, we are nothing.

If alcohol is queen, then tobacco is her consort. It's a fond companion for all occasions, a loyal friend through fair weather and foul.