for better or worse, it is the commentator who has the last word.

It was an interesting thing to do. Why did I write any of my books, after all? For the sake of the pleasure, for the sake of the difficulty. I have no social purpose, no moral message; I've no general ideas to exploit, I just like composing riddles with elegant solutions.

Don't cry, I'm sorry to have deceived you so much, but that's how life is.

A major writer combines these three - storyteller, teacher, enchanter - but it is the enchanter in him that predominates and makes him a major writer.

I adore you, mon petit, and would never allow him to hurt you, no matter how gently or madly.

You know, what's so dreadful about dying is that you are completely on your own.

It's a pity one can't imagine what one can't compare to anything. Genius is an African who dreams up snow.