“...it’d be like looking for a needle in a burning haystack.''Oh, I’ve done that,' Mark said airily. 'It’s a game we used to play, after we got rid of all our livestock and didn’t need our hay no more. You throw a match into the haystack, give the fire a three-second head start, and begin looking. You can find the needle every time if you work quick”

“For you to find a needle in-God, not even in a haystack. A needle in a tower full of other needles.''Plunge your hand into a tower of needles,' said Magnus, 'and you are likely to cut yourself badly.”

“It's a funny thing about looking for things. If you hunt for a needle in a haystack you don't find it. If you don't give a darn whether you ever see the needle or not it runs into you the first time you lean against the stack.”

“This is needle-in-haystack shit. And the haystack is made of needles. On a needle planet.”

“I know what I'm asking. For you to find a needle in - God, not even a haystack. A needle in a tower of other needles.""Plunge your hand in a tower of needles," said Magnus, "and you are likely to cut yourself badly. Are you sure this is what you want?”

“The way to find a needle in a haystack is to sit down.”