Virtually every advancement made by our species since civilization first peeked out of its nest of stone has been initiated by lone individuals, mavericks who more often than not were ignored, mocked, or viciously persecuted by society and its institutions.
Tom RobbinsMadame Lily Devalier always asked "Where are you?" in a way that insinuated that there were only two places on earth one could be: New Orleans and somewhere ridiculous.
Tom RobbinsPhilosophers have argued for centuries about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, but materialists have known all along that it depends on whether they are jitterbugging or dancing cheek to cheek.
Tom RobbinsIf you want your tree to produce plenty o' fruit, you've got to cut it back from time to time. Same thing with your neural cells. Some people might call it brain damage. I call it prunin'.
Tom RobbinsOh God, are there so many of them in our land! Students who canโt be happy until theyโve graduated, servicemen who canโt be happy until they are discharged, single folks who canโt be happy until theyโve found a mate, workers who canโt be happy until theyโve retired, adolescents who arenโt happy until theyโre grown, ill people who arenโt happy until theyโre well, failures who arenโt happy until they succeed, restless who canโt wait until they get out of town, and in most cases, vice versa, people waiting, waiting for the world to begin.
Tom Robbins