He'll be delivered from madness. What then? He'll feel himself acceptable! What then? Do you think feelings like his can be simply re-attached, like plasters? Stuck on to other objects we select? Look at him! ... My desire might be to make this boy an ardent husband - a caring citizen - a worshipper of abstract and unifying God. My achievement, however, is more likely to make a ghost!

Can you think of anything worse one can do to anybody than take away their worship?

I speak for all mediocrities in the world. I am their champion. I am their patron saint.

Librarians as a race tend to be tedious.

What use, after all, is man, if not to teach God His lessons?

All I ever wanted was to sing to God. He gave me that longing and then made me mute.

I think people nowadays do tend to blame their parents for everything.