“Authors were shy, unsociable creatures, atoning for their lack of social aptitude by inventing their own companions and conversations.”

“Do you know my friend that each one of us is a dark mystery, a maze of conflicting passions and desire and aptitudes?”

“In conversation, points arise! If a human being converses much, it is impossible for him to avoid the truth!”

“It is clear that the books owned the shop rather than the other way about. Everywhere they had run wild and taken possession of their habitat, breeding and multiplying, and clearly lacking any strong hand to keep them down.”

“Inside, it was clear that the books owned the shop rather than the other way about. Everywhere they had run wild and taken possession of their habitat, breeding and multiplying and clearly lacking any strong hand to keep them down.”

“I don't think necessity is the mother of invention. Invention . . . arises directly from idleness, possibly also from laziness. To save oneself trouble.”

“People should be interested in books, not their authors.”