To be in a world which is a hell, to be of that world and neither to believe in or guess at anything but that world is not merely hell but the only possible damnation: the act of a man damning himself. It may be

Language fits over experience like a straight-jacket.

Which is better -- to be a pack of painted Indians like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is? Which is better -- to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill? Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?

This is our island. It's a good island. Until the grownups come to fetch us we'll have fun.

It wasn't until I was 37 that I grasped the great truth that you've got to write your own books and nobody else's, and then everything followed from there.

Nothing is so impenetrable as laughter in a language you don't understand.

The beast was harmless and horrible; and the news must reach the others as soon as possible.