“like a weighted diver sinking in an oceanof mediocrity, under the pressure of men withgelatin eyes, rubber voices, spiral-shapedconvictions, non-committal souls and non-committinghands ...”

“There is a level of cowardice lower than that of the conformist: the fashionable non-conformist. ”

“Don't set out to raze all shrines, you'll frighten men. enshrine mediocrity-and the shrines are razed.”

“For my purpose, the non-fiction form of abstract knowledge doesn’t interest me; the final, applied form of fiction, of story, does.”

“She could not descend to an existence where her brain would explode under the pressure of forcing itself not to outdistance incompetence. She could not function to the rule of: Pipe down-keep down-slow down-don't do your best, it is not wanted!”

“The charming aspect of Christmas is the fact that it expresses good will in a cheerful, happy, benevolent, non-sacrificial way. One says: “Merry Christmas”—not “Weep and Repent.” And the good will is expressed in a material, earthly form—by giving presents to one’s friends, or by sending them cards in token of remembrance.”

“The quickest way to kill the human spirit is to ask someone to do mediocre work.”