“No matter what level of success, there is no such thing as a secure writer”

“To be successful you have to be selfish, or else you never achieve. And once you get to your highest level, then you have to be unselfish. Stay reachable. Stay in touch. Don't isolate.”

“Any fool can hope when success lies plainly in view. It wants genuine strength to hope when matters are hopeless.”

“What is the point of sharing your life with someone if you can't communicate with them about the things that matter?”

“All that matters in life," the grey man went on, "is to climb the ladder of success, amount to something, own things. When a person climbs higher than the rest, amounts to more, owns more things, everything else comes automatically: friendship, love, respect, et cetera...""Isn't there anyone who loves you?" Momo whispered.”

“On a practical level, there are two vital steps to ethical behavior:knowing what is right and doing it.”

“But it turns out that people who are grounded and secure don't change much under stress. That's what being grounded means.”