I am a professor who writes novels on Sundays

The Fundamental Principle that governs - or ought to govern -human affairs if we wish to avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, or pointless utopias, is negotiation.

A book is a fragile creature, it suffers the wear of time, it fears rodents, the elements and clumsy hands. so the librarian protects the books not only against mankind but also against nature and devotes his life to this war with the forces of oblivion.

The wise man does not discriminate; he gathers all the shreds of light, from wherever they may come.

We live for books. A sweet mission in this world dominated by disorder and decay.

And what would we be, we sinful creatures, without fear, perhaps the most foresighted, the most loving of the divine gifts?

One can be a great poet and be politically stupid.