Of all human lamentations, without doubt, the most common is if only I had known. But we can't know, and so days of death and fire so often begin no differently than those of love and warmth.

There is a long and honorable tradition of citizens in service to their nation that goes back at least as far as Cincinnatus, the Roman citizen who, more than once answered his country's call, then returned to his farm and his family and his work.

Two questions form the foundation of all novels: "What if?" and "What next?" (A third question, "What now?", is one the author asks himself every 10 minutes or so; but it's more a cry than a question.) Every novel begins with the speculative question, What if "X" happened? That's how you start.

When I go to peoples' houses I like to sneak into their bedrooms and try on their underwear.

The tactics...no, amateurs discuss tactics,.... Professional soldiers study logistics.

Well, It's a Communist country, and the Communists do not reward personal initiative...except by execution.

Ice hockey is the closest thing to religion permitted by the Soviet Union.