“Nothing defines humans better than their willingness to do irrationalthings in the pursuit of phenomenally unlikely payoffs. This is theprinciple behind lotteries, dating, and religion.”

“I miss having a villain. Whether we realize it or not, most of us define ourselves by opposing rather than by favoring something or someone. To put it another way, it is easier to react than to act. Nothing arouses a passion for dogma more than a good antagonist. And the more unlikely the better.”

“We all must die. There is no better way to do so than in the pursuit of something you love.”

“I'll admit that the idea of being adored for nothing but my face and my body has had an occasional appeal, in the way winning the lottery does. The difference is that I have a much better chance of winning the lottery.”

“What are you doing here?” said Azalea, grasping in thebasket behind her for the butter knife. Her hand found ateaspoon. It was better than nothing”

“Becoming a better writer is going to help you become a better reader, and that is the real payoff.”