“In the critic's vocabulary, the word "precursor" is indispensable, but it should be cleansed of all connotations of polemic or rivalry. The fact is that every writer creates his own precursors. His work modifies our conception of the past, as it will modify the future."-- Essay: "Kafka and his Precursors”
“The fact is that every author creates his own precursors. His work modifies our conception of the past, as it will modify the future.”
“Each man creates god in his own image.”
“Foolish writers and readers are created for each other.”
“A great writer creates a world of his own and his readers are proud to live in it. A lesser writer may entice them in for a moment, but soon he will watch them filing out.”