What we call ideology is precisely the confusion of linguistic with natural reality, of reference with phenomenalism

Literature exists at the same time in the modes of error and truth; it both betrays and obeys its own mode of being.

Fashion is like the ashes left behind by the uniquely shaped flames of the fire, the trace alone revealing that a fire actually took place.

If one reads too quickly or too slowly, one understands nothing.

Metaphors are much more tenacious than facts.

The bases for historical knowledge are not empirical facts but written texts, even if these texts masquerade in the guise of wars or revolutions.

The critical method which denies literary modernity would appear -- and even, in certain respects, would be -- the most modern of critical movements.

Modernity exists in the form of a desire to wipe out whatever came earlier, in the hope of reaching at least a point that could be called a true present, a point of origin that marks a new departure.

Curiously enough, it seems to be only in describing a mode of language which does not mean what it says that one can actually say what one means.

Death is a displaced name for a linguistic predicament.

The writer's language is to some degree the product of his own action; he is both the historian and the agent of his own language.

Don’t tell me about your god with your words. Show me about your god with your actions.

The saddest thing a girl can do is dumb herself down for a guy.

For every moment of suffering, Others will arriveThat will instead pierce you with joy.

I seriously hate pop music and all things super-commercial.

Because it equates tradition with prejudice, the left finds itself increasingly unable to converse with ordinary people in their common language.

Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders for your performance.

It seems unwise to allocate a large portion of investable capital to any one deep value opportunity, even if the latter promises a large expected return.

Obviously, there are lots of lessons to be learned on a first movie.

There are good men everywhere. I only wish they had louder voices.

I wasn't on the board of Lehman Brothers. I was a banker, and I was proud of it and I traveled the country and learned how people make jobs.