F. Sionil Jose

Quotes

• “Indeed, the existence of class, of social hierarchy, is as old as man himself. It prevails in the jungle where strength ...”
• “I can't understand Urdu, Bahasa or Russian, but when the Pakistani Faiz, the Indonesian Rendra and the Russian Rosdentve...”
• “I write entirely in English; Tagalog chauvinists chide me for this. I feel no guilt in doing so. But I am sad that I can...”
• “Poetry, fiction as novels or short stories - these are autonomous as created by their authors. They should stand on thei...”
• “The influence of teachers extends beyond the classroom, well into the future. It is they who shape and enrich the minds ...”
• “November is auspicious in so many parts of the country: the rice harvest is already in, the weather starts to cool, and ...”
• “We are shallow because our media are so horribly shallow. Every morning, I peruse the papers, and there is so little to ...”
• “I have always admired teachers because teaching, like the priesthood, medicine and writing, is a vocation. You don't bec...”
• “The Japanese bureaucracy is unique. It is also very powerful, although it is now the object of so much criticism. Many o...”
• “Language as a communication tool is the primary element from which literature is created. Even in pre-literate societies...”
• “Art, whatever form it takes, requires hard work, craftsmanship and creativity. As a writer, I know my grammar, cadence, ...”
• “We are shallow because we are 'mayabang,' ego driven, and do not have the humility to understand that we are only human,...”
• “I am for poetry that is admired by peasant and aristocrat alike.”
• “When I wake up every morning, I thank God for the new day.”