“Jane leaned back against the counter and stared at the ceiling. At the traditional location of God, no matter what the planet.”

“The 1st day, I stood in the kitchen leaning against the counter watching Annie feed the cats, and I knew I wanted to do that forever.”

“We lay on our backs looking at the ceiling and wondering what God had wrought when he made life so sad and disinclined.”

“Maybe that was why she couldn't cry, she realized, staring dry-eyed at the ceiling. Because what was the point in crying when there was no one there to comfort you? And what was worse, when you couldn't even comfort yourself?”

“There was no question in Tristam’s mind now that if one stared into the semidarkness long enough one would find whatever one sought. What the eye could not locate the mind would manufacture.”

“When you stare into the abyss the abyss stares back at you.”

“I was twenty-one and without God. I had no one to love me and no one for me to love. Since there was no after-life, what then did it matter? I leaned forward, ready to lurch to my doom.”

“The abyss doesn't stare back. It winks.”

“Even if you're sweeping floors or painting ceilings, do it better than anybody in the world, no matter what it is that you do. Be the best at it, and have a respect for others, and be proud of yourself.”

“Fascism was a counter-revolution against a revolution that never took place.”