“Sex must be mixed with tears, laughter, words, promises, scenes, jealousy, envy, all the spices of fear, foreign travel, new faces, novels, stories, dreams, fantasies, music, dancing, opium, wine.”

“I think it’s relative to the story you’re writing. Some novels are filled with summary and some are filled with scenes. Others are a beautiful, confusing mix, of course. Ultimately, I wanted to write a novel that I’d want to read later.”

“Mixing one's wines may be a mistake, but old and new wisdom mix admirably.”

“I wish to live without hate, whim, jealousy, envy, and fear. I wish to be simple, honest, frank, natural.. to face any obstacle and meet every difficulty unabashed and unafraid.”

“The music I desire must be supple enough to adapt itself to the lyrical effusions of the soul and the fantasy of dreams.”

“One’s enemies transmit your story in a distorted form; for they are wrought with envy, jealousy, and hatred. Their aim is to reduce your power and the level of presence.”

“Your face is marked with lines of life, put there by love and laughter, suffering and tears. It's beautiful.”

“I was fairly poor
but most of my money went
for wine and
classical music.
I loved to mix the two
together.”

“All novels are fantasies. Some are more honest about it.”

“What a strange machine man is! You fill him with bread, wine, fish, and radishes, and out comes sighs, laughter, and dreams.”