Writing poetry after Auschwitz is barbaric.

Dissonance is the truth about harmony.

Today self-consciousness no longer means anything but reflection on the ego as embarrassment, as realization of impotence: knowing that one is nothing.

He who stands aloof runs the risk of believing himself better than others and misusing his critique of society as an ideology for his private interest.

The idea that after this war life will continue 'normally' or even that culture might be 'rebuilt' - as if the rebuilding of culture were not already its negation - is idiotic.

The splinter in your eye is the best magnifying-glass available.

The most powerful person is he who is able to do least himself and burden others most with the things for which he lends his name and pockets the credit.