“Words are things, but things which mean. We cannot do away with meaning without doing away with signs, that is, with language itself. Moreover, we would have to do away with the universe. All the things man touches are impregnated with meaning.”

Mexican poet, philosopher, and diplomat

Octavio Paz Lozano was a Mexican poet, philosopher, and diplomat. He is best known for his body of work, which brought him major international recognition across literature and ideas. His career bridged poetry, thought, and public service. He received the Jerusalem Prize in 1977, the Miguel de Cervantes Prize in 1981, the Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 1982, and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1990.