The 21st chapter gives the novel the quality of genuine fiction, an art founded on the principle that human beings change. ----- "A Clockwork Orange Resucked" intro to first full American version 1986

Art is rare and sacred and hard work, and there ought to be a wall of fire around it.

But, brothers, this biting of their toe-nails over what is the CAUSE of badness is what turns me into a fine laughing malchick. They don't go into what is the cause of GOODNESS, so why of the other shop?

Senseless violence is a prerogative of youth, which has much energy but little talent for the constructive.

The important thing is moral choice. Evil has to exist along with good, in order that moral choice may operate. Life is sustained by the grinding opposition of moral entities.

It had been a wonderful evening and what I needed now, to give it the perfect ending, was a little of the Ludwig Van.

Beckett does not believe in God, though he seems to imply that God has committed an unforgivable sin by not existing.