“the concept of the city is significant in this period because the cities were considered to have developed for the gods.”

“The basic operating premise for the ancient Mesopotamians throughout all periods of their history is that humans were created and placed on earth so the gods did not have to work.”

“Marduk decides to create mankind from Qingu, who they claim had started the war with Tiamat (6:25), so that "the work of the gods shall be imposed (on them) and they [the gods] shall be at leisure" (6:5-8).38”

“Each deity controlled different elements of the world order, so no one god had full control, and which deity was in charge fluctuated over time and place.”

“You have got to be good in that town if you want to beat the crowd.' So says young John on his first sight of New York City. THE CROWD (1928)”

“Our greatest challenge today...is to couple conviction with doubt. By conviction, I mean some pragmatically developed faith, trust, or centeredness; and by doubt I mean openness to the ongoing changeability, mystery, and fallibility of the conviction.”

“My reason for being an author? Because I love to write - it fulfills me. But the fact that I entertain others by doing it is a lovely bonus.”