My life is a pitiful, mechanical thing without a past, like a little wind-up car, ready to run in any direction someone points me.

Back then I was still appalled that God would set down his barefoot boy and girl dollies into an Eden where, presumably, He had just turned loose elephantiasis and microes that eat the human cornea. Now I understand, God is not just rooting fo the dollies.

What keeps you going isn't some fine destination but just the road you're on, and the fact that you know how to drive. You keep your eyes open, you see this damned-to-hell world you got born into, and you ask yourself, 'What life can I live that will let me breathe in & out and love somebody or something and not run off screaming into the woods?

We agreed with him in principal - we were little scientists, born and bred. But children robbed of love will dwell on magic.

But Anatole said suddenly, 'Don't expect God's protection in places beyond God's dominion. It will only make you feel punished. I'm warning you. When things go bad, you will blame yourself.' 'What are you telling me?' 'I am telling you what I'm telling you. Don't try to make life a mathematics problem with yourself in the center and everything coming out equal. When you are good, bad things can still happen. And if you are bad, you can still be lucky.

What keeps you going isn't some fine destination but just the road you're on, and the fact that you know how to drive.

All of the promises of politicians, generals, madmen, and crusaders that war can create peace have yet to be borne out.