The attempt to force human beings to despise themselves… is what I call hell.
No one can endure his own solitude.
The human mind invents its Puss-in-Boots and its coaches that change into pumpkins at midnight because neither the believer nor the atheist is completely satisfied with appearances.
If a man is not ready to risk his life, where is his dignity?
Freedom is not an exchange — it is freedom.
Once the masterpiece has emerged, the lesser works surrounding it fall into place; and it then gives the impression of having been led up to and foreseeable, though actually it is inconceivable — or, rather, it can only be conceived of once it is there for us to see it.
All great religions stake a claim on eternity, but not necessarily on man's eternal life.
History may clarify our understanding of the supreme work of art, but can never account for it completely; for the Time of art is not the same as the Time of history.
Art is a revolt against fate.
What is man? A miserable little pile of secrets.