But the God I don't believe in is a good God, a just God, a merciful God. He's not the mean and stupid God you make him out to be.

Gold was not sure of many things, but he was definite about one: for every successful person he knew, he could name at least two others of greater ability, better, and higher intelligence who, by comparison, had failed.

Suppose everyone on our side felt that way?

Maybe a long life does have to be filled with many unpleasant conditions if it's to seem long. But in that event, who wants one?

Destiny is a good thing to accept when it's going your way. When it isn't, don't call it destiny; call it injustice, treachery, or simple bad luck.

Peace on earth would mean the end of civilization as we know it.

"Surely so many countries can't all be worth dying for." "Anything worth living for," said Nately, "is worth dying for." "And anything worth dying for," answered the sacrilegious old man, "is certainly worth living for."