“But certainly, for us who understand life, figures are a matter of indifference.”

“But, of course, for those of us who understand life, we would not care less about figures.”

“It is a matter of life and death for us; for the lead we gain by day on ships and railways is lost each night.”

“I know a planet where there is a certain red-faced gentleman. He has never smelled a flower. He has never looked at a star. He has never loved any one. He has never done anything in his life but add up figures. And all day he says over and over, just like you: 'I am busy with matters of consequence!' And that makes him swell up with pride. But he is not a man - he is a mushroom!”

“In every crowd are certain persons who seem just like the rest, yet they bear amazing messages.”

“Grown-ups love figures... When you tell them you've made a new friend they never ask you any questions about essential matters. They never say to you "What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies? " Instead they demand "How old is he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make? " Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.”

“Grown ups are certainly very strange.”