“We invent ourselves out of ingredients we didn't choose, by a process we can't control.”

“Self-control is a key factor in achieving success. We can't control everything in life, but we can definitely control ourselves.”

“When we speak of choice, what we mean is the ability to exercise control over ourselves and our environment. In order to choose, we must first perceive that control is possible.”

“Everyone wants to be a God. We manufacture our own worlds, duping ourselves with things to escape the reality we call our lives. Drugs, alcohol, sex, work, school. Bigger houses, newer cars and designer clothes are the universes we invent to exert our god-like rule. We can't control the weather, but it's always a perfect seventy-two degrees in our central-air controlled worlds.”

“It is ourselves we encounter whenever we invent fictions.”

“We tell ourselves that we lie to protect others, but the self usually comes out looking damn good in the process.”