Too much hard luck can create a permanent meanness of spirit in any creature.

[Optimism] acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy.

But no matter how much planning you do, one tiny miscalculation, one moment of distraction, can end it all in an instant.

I could see why Archimedes got all excited. There was nothing finer than the feeling that came rushing through you when it clicked and you suddenly understood something that had puzzled you. It made you think it just might be possible to get a handle on this old world after all.

It's really not that hard to put food on the table if that's what you decide to do.

Mom told us we would have to go shoplifting. Isn't that a sin?" I asked Mom. Not exactly," Mom said. "God doesn't mind you bending the rules a little if you have a good reason. It's sort of like justifiable homicide. This is justifiable pilfering.

You'll never make a fortune working for the boss man.