“It's quite clear : an outsider can, on principle, only value foreign literature that translates well; the truly great artists of language and the fecund experimenters are inaccessible to him; are usually unknown to him in fact !” Buried ShitNobel Prize For LiteratureIn Translation Book:Two Novels: The Stony Heart and B/Moondocks Source: Two Novels: The Stony Heart and B/Moondocks
“When an important writer recommends a work to you -- whether by openly naming the title; or by shy=covert use of it (which perhaps is the greater praise) then go right ahead and follow his [sic!, etc] momentous hint ! A man with expertise and taste has done trusty spade-work for you : {pre=reading} and winnowing 1000 volumes of antiquated chaff for you. Not to make grateful use of such a hint would mean my thoughtless=arrogant shoving aside all the precious, irreplaceable hours that a venerable predecessor spent reading for me.” Buried ShitRespect The ReadingSpade Work Book:Radio Dialogs II Source: Radio Dialogs II
“He who would speak of unknown authors, buried beneath the rubble of centuries, inevitably lays himself open, at least to begin with, to the suspicion of being a crotchety sort with very queer tastes.” Buried ShitCrotchesQueer Taste Book:Radio Dialogs I Source: Radio Dialogs I