Georges Bataille Quotes
Georges Bataille was a French philosopher, novelist, and librarian whose work occupied a singular position at the edges of surrealism, sociology, and the history of religions. After training as a medievalist at the Ecole des Chartes, he spent his career at the Bibliotheque Nationale and in the provincial libraries of Orleans and Carpentras while founding journals and clandestine groups. The quotes below are attributed to Georges Bataille, organized by topic.
Georges Bataille on Freedom
-
Attributed to Georges Bataille:
“Sovereignty is the refusal to accept the limits that the fear of death would impose.”
Georges Bataille on Love
-
Attributed to Georges Bataille:
“Eroticism is the assenting to life up to the point of death.”
-
Attributed to Georges Bataille:
“Communication takes place through the wound, not through the seal.”
Georges Bataille on Politics
-
Attributed to Georges Bataille:
“The economy of expenditure is more fundamental than the economy of production.”
Georges Bataille on Truth
-
Attributed to Georges Bataille:
“What we cannot grasp is the point of greatest importance.”