Interpretation is the revenge of the intellect upon art. Even more. It is the revenge of the intellect upon the world. To interpret is to impoverish, to deplete the world -- in order to set up a shadow world of ''meanings.''

Fear binds people together. And fear disperses them. Courage inspires communities: the courage of an example - for courage is as contagious as fear. But courage, certain kinds of courage, can also isolate the brave.

Strictly speaking, it is doubtful that a photograph can help us understand anything.

Standing alone, photographs promise an understanding they cannot deliver. In the company of words, they take on meaning, but they slough off one meaning and take on another with alarming ease.

My ignorance is not charming.

Any important disease whose causality is murky, and for which treatment is ineffectual, tends to be awash in significance.

Gide and I have attained such perfect intellectual communion that I experience the appropriate labor pains for every thought he gives birth to!