The notion of looking on at life has always been hateful to me. What am I if I am not a participant? In order to be, I must participate.

Perfection is not when there is no more to add, but no more to take away.

That's the way they are. You must not hold it against them. Children should be very understanding of grown-ups.

The injustice of defeat lies in the fact that its most innocent victims are made to look like heartless accomplices. It is impossible to see behind defeat, the sacrifices, the austere performance of duty, the self-discipline and the vigilance that are there - those things the god of battle does not take account of.

For I do not want any one to read my book carelessly. I have suffered too much grief in setting down these memories. Six years have already passed since my friend went away from me, with his sheep. If I try to describe him here, it is to make sure that I shall not forget him. To forget a friend is sad. Not every one has had a friend. And if I forget him, I may become like the grown-ups who are no longer interested in anything but figures.

All grown-ups were once children... but only few of them remember it.

But games always cover something deep and intense, else there would be no excitement in them, no pleasure, no power to stir us.