When people concentrate on the idea of beauty, they are, without realizing it, confronted with the darkest thoughts that exist in this world. That, I suppose, is how human beings are made.

For a long time I had not approached the forbidden fruit called happiness, but it was now tempting me with a melancholy persistence. I felt as though Sonoko were an abyss above which I stood poised.

For an artist to do creative work, he needs at once physical health and some physiomental ill health. He needs both serenity and gloom.

There's a huge seal called 'impossibility' pasted all over this world. And don't ever forget that we're the only ones who can tear it off once and for all.

If we value so highly the dignity of life, how can we not also value the dignity of death No death may be called futile.

We live in an age in which there is no heroic death.

I had no taste for defeat - much less victory - without a fight.