23 Quotes by Paul De Man

Modernity exists in the form of a desire to wipe out whatever came earlier, in the hope of reaching at least a point that could be called a true present, a point of origin that marks a new departure.

Fashion is like the ashes left behind by the uniquely shaped flames of the fire, the trace alone revealing that a fire actually took place.

What we call ideology is precisely the confusion of linguistic with natural reality, of reference with phenomenalism

The critical method which denies literary modernity would appear -- and even, in certain respects, would be -- the most modern of critical movements.

Literature... is condemned (or privileged) to be forever the most rigorous and, consequently, the most reliable of terms in which man names and transforms himself.

The bases for historical knowledge are not empirical facts but written texts, even if these texts masquerade in the guise of wars or revolutions.

Metaphors are much more tenacious than facts.

If one reads too quickly or too slowly, one understands nothing.

The critical method which denies literary modernity would appear – and even, in certain respects, would be – the most modern of critical movements.