“When you imagine mistakes, there can be no self-defense.”

“Show me a completely smooth operation and I'll show you someone who's covering mistakes. Real boats rock.”

“They were undoubtedbly sincere in subscribing to the argument that nuclear weapons were a reserve held for one purpose: defense of humankind should a threatening 'other intelligence' ever be encountered.”

“Nature does not make mistakes. Right and wrong are human categories.”

“Since every individual is accountable ultimately to the self, the formation of that self demands our utmost care and attention.”

“Humans are born with a susceptibility to that most persistent and debilitating disease of intellect: self-deception. The best of all possible worlds and the worst get their dramatic coloration from it. As nearly as we can determine, there is no natural immunity. Constant alertness is required.”

“The flesh surrenders itself. Eternity takes back its own. Our bodies stirred these waters briefly, danced with a certain intoxication before the love of life and self, dealt with a few strange ideas, then submitted to the instruments of Time. What can we say of this? I occurred. I am not...yet, I occurred.”