“Lorn stared at Tool. “Was that an attempt at humor?” she asked.
The T’lan Imass adjusted his helmet. “That depends on your mood, Adjunct.””

“Humor is a survival tool.”

“She was a wicked thing sometimes. All full of want. As if the shape of the world depended on her mood. As if she were important.”

“She's you, without your conscience, or your feelings. She's you without your humanity."
"You're saying she's a mood swing?"
He shrugged. "Or maybe you're her mood swing."
"Don't even joke about that.”

“… anyone who attempts to do both, to adjust to his group and at the same time pursue his individual goal, becomes neurotic.”

“Hang on to your humor. Do not ask for permission, just do it! Make everything fun.”

“The expectations of life depend upon diligence the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.”

“A geisha has studied a man's moods and his seasons. She fusses and he blooms.”

“The attempt to develop a sense of humor and to see things in a humorous light is some kind of a trick learned while mastering the art of living.”

“Your writing", she said to me, "it's so raw. It's like a sledgehammer, and yet it has humor and tenderness….”