The most important thing was that time had passed, pouring thousands of soothing seconds across the island. People need time to deal with the now before it runs away and becomes the then.

We've got a lot of experience of not having any experience

Probably the last sound heard before the Universe folded up like a paper hat would be someone saying, "What happens if I do this?"

The whole of life is just like watching a film. Only it's as though you always get in ten minutes after the big picture has started, and no-one will tell you the plot, so you have to work it out all yourself from the clues.

What're quantum mechanics?" "I don't know. People who repair quantums, I suppose.

Tragic heroes always moan when the gods take an interest in them, but it's the people the gods ignore who get the really tough deals

No. Men should die for lies. But the truth is too precious to die for.