“Each department of knowledge passes through three stages. The theoretic stage; the theological stage and the metaphysical or abstract stage.”

“...this protracted war will pass through three stages. The first stage covers the period of the enemy's strategic offensive and our strategic defensive. The second stage will be the period of the enemy's strategic consolidation and our preparation for the counter-offensive. The third stage will be the period of our strategic counter-offensive and the enemy's strategic retreat.”

“Each work has to pass through these stages—ridicule, opposition, and then acceptance. Those who think ahead of their time are sure to be misunderstood.”

“The stage floor was a stage of thin ice for me to tread. To hold my own or to sink through and die, never to be remembered.”

“Woman" in the abstract is young, and, we assume, charming. As they get older they pass off the stage, somehow, into private ownership mostly, or out of it altogether.”

“Maturity comes in three stages: dependence, independence and interdependence”