Quotes
Some ancient Asian cosmological views are close to the idea of an infinite regression of causes, as exemplified in the following apocryphal story: A Western traveler encountering an Oriental philosopher asks him to describe the nature of the world:
“It is a great ball resting on the flat back of the world turtle.”
“Ah yes, but what does the world turtle stand on?”
“On the back of a still larger turtle.”
“Yes, but what does he stand on?”
“A very perceptive question. But it’s no use, mister; it’s turtles all the way down.”
p. 343
Broca was quoted as saying, “I would rather be a transformed ape than a degenerate son of Adam.”
p. 7
Talking nonsense is man's only privilege that distinguishes him from all other organisms.
'It was a compliment,' said Merry Brandybuck, 'and so, of course, not true.'
I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
'Short cuts make delays, but inns make longer ones.'
Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.
Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.
Still, no use crying over unspilt milk, and you can’t mend an omelette without unbreaking a few eggs.
p. 187
Tiger roared in anger, and Charlie took the roar and wound his song around it. Then he did the roar himself, just like Tiger had done it. Well, the roar began just as Tiger’s roar had, but then Charlie changed it, so it became a really goofy sort of roar, and all the creatures watching from the rocks started to laugh. They couldn’t help it. Charlie did the goofy roar again. Like any impersonation, like any perfect caricature, it had the effect of making what it made fun of intrinsically ridiculous. No one would ever hear Tiger roar again without hearing Charlie’s roar underneath it. “Goofy sort of a roar,” they’d say.
“The ties of blood,” said Spider, “are stronger than water.”
“Water’s not strong,” objected Fat Charlie.
“Stronger than vodka, then. Or volcanoes. Or, or ammonia.”
If Hell is other people, thought Shadow, then Purgatory is airports.
