Octavio Paz Quote

A nation without free elections is a nation without voice, without eyes, and without arms.

Love is born of a sudden passion; friendship from frequent and prolonged interaction.

Octavio Paz

Eroticism and poetry: the first is a metaphor for sexuality, the second an eroticization of language.

Octavio Paz

Each poem is unique. In each work, all of poetry beats, to a greater or lesser degree. Each reader seeks something in the poem. And it's not unusual that they find it: It was already inside them.

Octavio Paz

Architecture is the least bribable witness of history.

Octavio Paz

The liberal society will be paralyzed if it stops being self-critical.

Octavio Paz

Ningún pueblo believes in its government. At most, the people are resigned.

Octavio Paz

Poetry must be a little dry to burn well, and thus illuminate and warm us.

Octavio Paz

In every erotic encounter there is an invisible and always active character: the imagination

Octavio Paz

The Mexican's indifference to death is nourished by their indifference to life.

Octavio Paz

Too much light is like too much shadow: it doesn't let you see.

Octavio Paz