“When all else failed, she tried being reasonable.”

“When all else fails, there's always delusion.”

“When all else fails, start a band.”

“When all else fails, admit you’re an idiot.”

“When all else fails, give up and go to the library.”

“When Bobbie tried to imagine being so wealthy you could own a spaceship just to compete in races, she failed. That the same girl had run away to be an OPA rebel probably said a lot about the relationship of wealth and contentment, but Bobbie had a hard time being that philosophical.”

“One needs no particular talent to be polite. On the contrary, being nice is what's left when you've failed at everything else.”

“I tried being reasonable, but I didn't like it.”

“Rule 1: When all else fails, follow instructions. And Rule 2: Don't be an asshole.”

“Still, Claire hated Charlotte Brontë’s comment that she would have given all her talent to be beautiful. That condemned you always to play somebody else’s game—and, when your looks failed—finally to lose.”