If I hadn’t spent so much time studying Earthlings," said the Tralfamadorian, "I wouldn’t have any idea what was meant by 'free will.' I've visited thirty-one inhabited planets in the universe, and I have studied reports on one hundred more. Only on Earth is there any talk of free will.

A lot of people were opposed to it. A lot of people were for it. I myself think about it as little as possible.

It is time for me to be dead for a little while - and then live again.

That's what is was to be young - to be enthusiastic rather than envious about the good work other people could do.

I think... it is somehow very useful, and maybe even essential, for a fine artist to have to somehow make his peace on the canvas with all the things he cannot do. That is what attracts us to serious paintings, I think: that shortfall, which we might call 'personality,' or maybe even 'pain.'

How nice -- to feel nothing, and still get full credit for being alive.

There are plenty of good reasons for fighting.