The illusion of art is to make one believe that great literature is very close to life, but the exact opposite is true. Life is amorphous, literature is formal.

To jealousy, nothing is more frightful than laughter.

When man, Apollo man, rockets into space, it isn't in order to find his brother, I'm quite sure of that. It's to confirm that he hasn't any brothers.

A dress has no meaning unless it makes a man want to take it off.

I like men to behave like men - strong and childish.

Art must take reality by surprise. It takes those moments which are for us merely a moment, plus a moment, plus another moment, and arbitrarily transforms them into a special series of moments held together by a major emotion.

Jazz music is an intensified feeling of nonchalance.

The rich have a passion for bargains as lively as it is pointless.

I shall live badly if I do not write, and I shall write badly if I do not live.

Art must take reality by surprise.