One moment several things are possible, the next moment only one happens, and the rest don't exist. Except that other worlds have sprung into being, on which the did happen.

That's the duty of the old, to be anxious on behalf of the young. And the duty of the young is to scorn the anxiety of the old.

We need to ensure that children are not forced to waste their time on barren rubbish.

Men and women are moved by tides much fiercer than you can imagine, and they sweep us all up into the current.

There is another consequence of any belief in a single god, and that is that it is a very good excuse for people to behave very badly.

Everyone, from the Mother Superior to the priests to my parents--they were so upset and reproachful...I felt as if something they all passionately believed in depended on me carrying on with something I didn't.

Writing is tyranny ... but reading is democracy.