Fatal illness has always been viewed as a test of moral character, but in the nineteenth century there is a great reluctance to let anybody flunk the test.

Do stuff. Be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration's shove or society's kiss on your forehead.

10 percent of any population is cruel, no matter what, and 10 percent is merciful, no matter what, and the remaining 80 percent can be moved in either direction.

Fear of sexuality is the new, disease-sponsored register of the universe of fear in which everyone now lives.

To the militant, identity is everything.

The past itself, as historical change continues to accelerate, has become the most surreal of subjects - making it possible... to see a new beauty in what is vanishing.

The fear of becoming old is born of the recognition that one is not living now the life that one wishes.