When it comes to controlling human beings there is no better instrument than lies. Because, you see, humans live by beliefs. And beliefs can be manipulated. The power to manipulate beliefs is the only thing that counts ... Who knows what use theyโll make of you? Maybe youโll help them to persuade people to buy things they donโt need, or hate things they know nothing about, or hold beliefs that make them easy to handle, or doubt the truths that might save them.
Michael EndeIf you stop to think about it, youโll have to admit that all the stories in the world consist essentially of twenty-six letters. The letters are always the same, only the arrangement varies. From letters words are formed, from words sentences, from sentences chapters, and from chapters stories.
Michael EndeHe had been through a good deal in the course of the Great Quest โ he had seen beautiful things and horrible things โ but up until now he had not known that one and the same creature can be both, that beauty can be terrifying.
Michael EndeYou see, Momo... it's like this. Sometimes, when you've a very long street ahead of you, you think how terribly long it is and feel sure you'll never get it swept... And then you hurry. You work faster and faster, and every time you look up there seems to be just as much to sweep as before, and you try even harderโฆ, and you panic, and in the end you're out of breath and have to stop-and still the street stretches away in from of you.
Michael Ende