Cette citation est extraite de l'œuvre 'Les Chants de Maldoror' (Chant premier) du comte de Lautréamont (Isidore Ducasse), publiée en 1869. Elle illustre le sentiment de détachement et la révolte métaphysique caractéristiques du personnage de Maldoror.
"Between my dreams and me, there is always an abyss that I have not, even in idea, attempted to cross. I have demanded nothing from life and have dared to take nothing from it. Everything that enchants and seduces men has retained for me its flower of virginity; I have possessed nothing nor gathered anything."