The future is the only transcendental value for men without God.
A trial cannot be conducted by announcing the general culpability of a civilization. Only the actual deeds which, at least, stank in the nostrils of the entire world were brought to judgment.
Modern conquerors can kill, but do not seem to be able to create. Artists know how to create but cannot really kill. Murderers are only very exceptionally found among artists.
Beware of those who say: “I know this too well to be able to express it.” For if they cannot do so, this is because they don’t know it or because out of laziness they stopped at the outer crust.
For the existentials, negation is their God. To be precise, that god is maintained only through the negation of human reason. But, like suicides, gods change with men.
I do not want to found anything on the incomprehensible. I want to know whether I can live with what I know and with that alone.
All I know of morality I learned from football.
The main thing is that everything become simple, easy enough for a child to understand.
Life is meaningless, but worth living, provided you recognize it’s meaningless.
As for Hitler, his professed religion unhesitatingly juxtaposed the God-Providence and Valhalla. Actually his god was an argument at a political meeting and a manner of reaching an impressive climax at the end of speeches.
Since the order of the world is shaped by death, mightn’t it be better for God if we refuse to believe in Him, and struggle with all our might against death without raising our eyes towards the heaven where He sits in silence?
Art does not tolerate reason.
Although it was the middle of winter, I finally realized that, within me, summer was inextinguishable.
I sometimes need to write things which I cannot completely control but which therefore prove that what is in me is stronger than I am.
I feel more fellowship with the defeated than with saints.
The first choice an artist makes is precisely to be an artist, and if he chooses to be an artist it is in consideration of what he is himself and because of a certain idea he has of art.
That’s love, giving everything, sacrificing all without hope of return.
The harshest winter finds an invincible summer in us.
Travel, which is like a greater and a graver science, brings us back to ourselves.
In Holland, everyone is an expert in painting and in tulips.