'When the mirror meets with an ugly woman, when a rare ink-stone finds a vulgar owner, and when a good sword is in the hands of a common general, there is utterly nothing to be done about it.' (p. 317)

'...by association with natures enormities, a man's heart may truly grow big also. There is a way of looking upon a landscape as a moving picture and being sat…

'Such religion as there can be in modern life, every individual will have to salvage from the churches for himself.' (p. 397)

'If the early Chinese people had any chivalry, it was manifested not toward women and children, but toward old people. That feeling of chivalry found clear exp…

Like a blind spinner in the sun, I tread my days: I know that all the threads will run Appointed ways. I know each day will bring its task, And being blind no …

We are all such accidents. We do not make up history and culture. We simply appear, not by our own choice. We make what we can of our condition with the means …

How can you hope to win against goddamn time travelers? It's like playing blackjack when the dealer is God. : Come to think of it, all of life is a blackjack g…