In the world's structure dream loosens individuality like a bad tooth.

Bourgeois existence is the regime of private affairs . . . and the family is the rotten, dismal edifice in whose closets and crannies the most ignominious instincts are deposited. Mundane life proclaims the total subjugation of eroticism to privacy.

The concept of progress must be grounded in the idea of catastrophe. That things are 'status quo' is the catastrophe

To be happy is to be able to become aware of oneself without fright.

Literature tells very little to those who understand it.

Writers are really people who write books not because they are poor, but because they are dissatisfied with the books which they could buy but do not like.

Every passion borders on the chaotic, but the collector's passion borders on the chaos of memories.