Augusto Roa Bastos Quotes

A collection of quotes by Augusto Roa Bastos.

Augusto Roa Bastos (1917-2005) was a Paraguayan novelist and short story writer. Widely regarded as one of Latin America's most important literary figures, Roa Bastos is best known for his epic novel "I, the Supreme" (Yo, el Supremo), which explores the life and dictatorship of Paraguayan dictator Dr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. Roa Bastos' work often dealt with themes of political oppression and social injustice, and he played a significant role in bringing attention to Paraguay's troubled history through his writing. He was awarded several prestigious literary prizes throughout his career, including the Miguel de Cervantes Prize in 1989.

Letters couldn't care less whether what is written with them

Letters couldn't care less whether what is written with them is true or false.

Augusto Roa Bastos

Truth Words

The things that have come into being change continually. The

The things that have come into being change continually. The man with a good memory remembers nothing because he forgets nothing.

Augusto Roa Bastos

Change

Man is an idiot. He doesn't know how to do anything without

Man is an idiot. He doesn't know how to do anything without copying, without imitating, without plagiarizing, without aping. It might even have been that man invented generation by coitus after seeing the grasshopper copulate.

Augusto Roa Bastos

Imitation

Anyone who attempts to relate his life loses himself in the

Anyone who attempts to relate his life loses himself in the immediate. One can only speak of another.

Augusto Roa Bastos

Legacy

Facts can't be recounted; much less twice over, and far less

Facts can't be recounted; much less twice over, and far less still by different persons. I've already drummed that thoroughly into your head. What happens is that your wretched memory remembers the words and forgets what's behind them.

Augusto Roa Bastos

Facts