However gifted an individual is at the outset, if his or her talents cannot be developed because of his or her social condition, because of the surrounding circumstances, these talents will be still-born.

There is something in the New York air that makes sleep useless.

I consider it almost antifeminist to say that there is a feminine nature which expresses itself differently, that a woman speaks her body more than a man, because after all, men also speak their bodies when they write. Everything is implicated in the work of a writer.

Why does one exist? That's not my problem. One does exist. The thing to do is to take no notice but go at it on the run and to keep on going right on until you die.

Whether you think of it as heavenly or as earthly, if you love life immortality is no consolation for death.

The arrogance of some Christians would close heaven to them if, to their misfortune, it existed.

Self-consciousness is not knowledge but a story one tells about oneself.