“stories make you think and dream; books make you want to ask questions”

“If you want to think what nobody else thinks, ask a question that nobody else asks.”

“The book to read is not the one that thinks for you but the one which makes you think.”

“A lot of sophistication has been developed about the utilization of machines for complex purposes, and it doesn't make sense not to use it if you can think of a good question to ask. Playing chess is about the dumbest question you can ask. But, if you want, maybe can make money that way, or something. In fact, what's going on with the chess is about as interesting as the fact that a front-end loader can lift more than an Olympics champion, weight lifter, or something. Probably so, but, you know, these are just not serious questions.”

“Do not let what you think they think of you make you stop and question everything you are.”

“I know what you want. You want a story that won't surprise you. That will confirm what you already know. That won't make you see higher or further or differently. You want a flat story. An immobile story. You want dry, yeastless factuality.”

“There was only one cadet I ever really hated. Just one name I can think of,' The Boo said. 'That'll make an interesting story for the book, Colonel. Who is the jerk?' I asked. 'It was you, Conroy. Just you. There was something about you that I hated when you first walked into fourth battalion, you worthless bum.”

“I know all about dreams that make you want to scream.”

“The books that help you the most are those which make you think the most.”

“If you keep pretending you're in that book, it will make you not want to live in the life you're in.”