“The fact that our task is exactly commensurate with our life gives it the appearance of being infinite.”

“Away in the distance, a train appeared behind the trees, all its compartments were lit, the windows were sure to be open. One of us started singing a ballad, but we all wanted to sing. We sang far quicker than the speed of the train, we swung our arms because our voices weren't enough, our voices got into a tangle where we felt happy. If you mix your voice with others' voices, you feel as though you're caught on a hook. (trans. Michael Hofmann)”

“The fact that there is nothing but a spiritual world deprives us of hope and gives us certainty.”

“Two tasks at the beginning of your life: to narrow your orbit more and more, and ever and again to check whether you are not in hiding somewhere outside your orbit.”

“There is an infinite amount of hope in the universe ... but not for us.”

“Oh, plenty of hope, an infinite amount of hope--but not for us.”

“So eager are our people to obliterate the present.”