I was never drawn to experiment with language; I take note of such experiments, but avoid them in my own writing. The reason is that the substance of life claims me completely. To indulge in linguistic experiments is to ignore the greater part of this substance, leaving all but a tiny portion untouched and unused, as if a musician were to ceaselessly play an instrument with his little finger only.

— Elias Canetti Das Geheimherz der Uhr [The Secret Heart of the Clock (1987)

More quotes by Elias Canetti

Das Geheimherz der Uhr [The Secret Heart of the Clock (1987)

Das Geheimherz der Uhr [The Secret Heart of the Clock (1987)

Das Geheimherz der Uhr [The Secret Heart of the Clock (1987)

Das Geheimherz der Uhr [The Secret Heart of the Clock (1987)

Das Geheimherz der Uhr [The Secret Heart of the Clock (1987)

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Elias Canetti (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.