Islam is a dangerous religion.

The love of a dog is a pure thing. He gives you a trust which is total. You must not betray it.

You can't be a crazy rebel in the face of death, it's not a fitting attitude.

Active people don't change the world profoundly; ideas do. Napoleon is less important in world history than Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

I find it an absolute pleasure to read travel guides, especially the Michelin guides, and their description of places I know I'll probably never visit. I spend a large part of my life reading descriptions of restaurants.

I think poetry is the only domain where a writer you like can truly be said to influence you, because you read and reread a poem so many times that it simply drills itself into your head.