I think it is inevitable that people program poorly. Training will not substantially help matters. We have to learn to live with it.

One can't proceed from the informal to the formal by formal means.

It goes against the grain of modern education to teach children to program. What fun is there in making plans, acquiring discipline in organizing thoughts, devoting attention to detail and learning to be self-critical?

Optimization hinders evolution.

Every reader should ask himself periodically “Toward what end, toward what end?”—but do not ask it too often lest you pass up the fun of programming for the constipation of bittersweet philosophy.

A year spent in artificial intelligence is enough to make one believe in God.

The best book on programming for the layman is Alice in Wonderland, but that's because it's the best book on anything for the layman.