“Did you suppose that fornication was the straight line upwards that I'd been trying to find?”

“But I do think that when people say 'a learning curve,' they make a mistake. Learning to me always seems to go in a straight, ignorant line and then, every so often, takes a jump straight upward.”

“When a man in a forest thinks he is going forward in a straight line, in reality he is going in a circle, I did my best to go in a circle, hoping to go in a straight line.”

“Right now I'd like all my troubles to stand in front of me in a straight line, and one by one I'd give each a black eye. ”

“Did you read the part that says, 'Your hair is like a flock of goats'? How romantic is that? Or that other line, 'Your neck is like the tower of David.' Oh, now, that sounds real attractive! If some guy tried those lines on me, I'm sure I'd fall instantly in love with him.”

“Then if you don’t mind a suggestion—plan what you will do, and then set it aside until tomorrow,” Cole said. “You tend to worry things in circles. Try to worry in a straight line.”