Sometimes the state and the constitution are more enlightened than society.

But can we, should we, let apprehensions about the future immobilize us in the present?

With the certitude of a true believer, Vellya Paapen had assured the twins that there was no such thing in the world as a black cat. He said that there were only black cat chaped holes in the universe.

The idea of "human rights," for example - sometimes it bothers me. Not in itself, but because the concept of human rights has replaced the much grander idea of justice.

What's a country? It's just an administrative unit, a glorified municipality. Why do we imbue it with esoteric meaning and protect it with nuclear bombs? I can't bow down to a municipality... it's just not intelligent. The bastards will do what they have to do, and we'll do what we have to do. Even if they annihilate us, we'll go down on the other side.

There is a war that makes us adore our conquerors and despise ourselves.

Humbling was a nice word, Rahel thought. Humbling along without a care in the world