In the history of literature there are many great enduring works which were not published in the lifetimes of the authors. If the authors had not achieved self-affirmation while writing, how could they have continued to write? — Gao Xingjian Copy Share Image
The human species does not necessarily move in stages from progress to progress ... history and civilization do not advance in tandem. From the stagnation of Medieval Europe to the decline and chaos in recent times on the mainland of… — Gao Xingjian Copy Share Image
“When a man gets to middle age shouldn’t he look for a peaceful and stable existence, find a not-too-demanding sort of a job, stay… — Gao Xingjian Copy Share Image
Literature transcends national boundaries, racial boundaries. It goes deep into the issues that concern all human beings. That is why, when people read Greek… — Gao Xingjian Copy Share Image
I hadn't originally intended to do any reading, what if I did read one book more or one book less, whether I read or… — Gao Xingjian Copy Share Image
If you're not perfectly conscious of yourself, that self can be tyrannical; in relationship to others, anyone can become a tyrant. That's why no… — Gao Xingjian Copy Share Image
Since childhood, I'd dreamed of making a film, but producers in France and Germany wanted to make commercial films with chinoiserie. I refused. — Gao Xingjian Copy Share Image
Literature hasn't come up with any new themes. The literature of all different times - it's still dealing with how one resolves issues of… — Gao Xingjian Copy Share Image
“Yours is much worse than Eastern! You’ve slapped together travel notes, moralistic ramblings, feelings, notes, jottings, untheoretical discussions, unfable-like fables, copied out some folk… — Gao Xingjian Copy Share Image
The enterprise of describing something in language that has never been described before is a very difficult thing to do. When you decide to… — Gao Xingjian Copy Share Image
When I completed writing 'Soul Mountain,' I more or less closed the accounts with China for myself. I was 50 years old when I… — Gao Xingjian Copy Share Image
Body odour (known also as scent of the immortals) is a disgusting condition with an awful, nauseating smell. — Gao Xingjian Copy Share Image
If, while observing the boundless universe, the writer is able to scrutinise his own self as well as others, the resulting incisiveness of his… — Gao Xingjian Copy Share Image
