You take a step, then another. That's the journey. But to take a step with your eyes open is not a journey at all, it's a remaking of your own mind.

From now on the enemy is more clever than you. From now on the enemy is stronger than you. From now on you are always about to lose.

Does it help if we're so strong-willed, stubborn, ambitious, and selfish that we always overcome everything in our way no matter what?" asked Wang-mu. "I think those are the pertinent virtues, yes," said Peter. "Then let's do it. That's us in spades.

It's the middle class that feels the luxury of being able to have causes.

I need you to be clever, Bean. I need you to think of solutions to problems we haven't seen yet. I want you to try things that no one has ever tried because they're absolutely stupid.

I want to be the kind of boy you are, thought Bean. But I don’t want to go through what you’ve been through to get there.

Most victories came from instantly exploiting your enemy's stupid mistakes, and not from any particular brilliance in your own plan.