“I like the stars. It's the illusion of permanence, I think. I mean, they're always flaring up and caving in and going out. But from here, I can pretend...I can pretend that things last. I can pretend that lives last longer than moments. Gods come, and gods go. Mortals flicker and flash and fade. Worlds don't last; and stars and galaxies are transient, fleeting things that twinkle like fireflies and vanish into cold and dust. But I can pretend...”

“I like the stars. It's the illusion of permanence, I think. I mean, the're always flaring up and caving in and going out.But from here, I can pretend...I can pretend that things last. I can pretend that lives last longer than moments.Gods come, and Gods go. Mortals flicker and flash and fade.Worlds don't last, and stars and galaxies are transient, fleeting things that twinkle like fireflies and vanish into cold and dust.But I can pretend.”

“I can no longer pretend that I believe in God. It's highly possible that I lost this belief when I started having sexual relationships.”

“I like to meet people and pretend I’ll never see them again. I tend to value things more if I think it’s the last time I’ll get to enjoy it. I’ll savor every moment I believe to be the last.”

“Here's what I suggest," he said. "You pretend that rats can think, and I'll promise to pretend that humans can think, too.”

“It's possible to pretend I'm someone other than who I am, and if I pretend long enough, I can believe it.”