I do not write for the reader to come, but for him who is here, short of reading the text on my shoulder.

An intellectuals weapon is writing, but sometimes people react as if it were a firearm. A writer can do a lot to change the situation, but as far as I know, no dictatorship has fallen because of a sonnet.

Perfection is a polished collection of errors.

Generosity is the only legitimate selfishness.

I do not write for the reader to come, but for him who is here, short of reading the text on my shoulder.

We are born sad and we die sad, but meanwhile we love bodies whose sad beauty is a miracle.

The real influence on my work was reality, that of my country and Latin America in general.