The novel is a totalizing form; it tries to encompass all of human experience.

I'm not a person who is comfortable with compliments. I don't like to be put on a pedestal.

Every word is a step towards understanding.

The stranger is close to us, insofar as we feel between him and ourselves common features of a national, social, occupational, or generally human, nature. He is far from us, insofar as these common features extend beyond him or us, and connect us only because they connect a great many people.

读书的人死前活过千次，不读书的人只活一次。