If the real world were a book, it would never find a publisher. Overlong, detailed to the point of distraction-and ultimately, without a major resolution.

Death doesn't care about personalities - he's more interested in meeting quotas.

Pretend to be mad and talk a lot. Then — and this is the important bit — do nothing at all until you absolutely have to and then make sure everyone dies.

History has rewritten itself so many times I'm not really sure how it was to begin with -- it's a bit like trying to guess the original color of a wall when it's been repainted eight times.

A first-rate laboratory is one in which mediocre scientists can produce outstanding work.

Helping others carries its own rewards, the first of which is a return to humanity.

Modesty is a valuable merit ... in people who have no other, and the appearance of it is extremely useful to those who have.

Ah, it is the fault of our science that it wants to explain all; and if it explain not, then it says there is nothing to explain.

What is modesty but inverted pride?

If you can properly define the problem, then you've already defined the solution as well.

The experimenter who does not know what he is looking for will not understand what he finds.

I can see myself wanting to write a historical novel - you don't need to worry about references to reality TV or pop music, you can just get on with the basics of story and character.

I have never lived before...Until this summer, I did not know what it was to be alive.

It's the little touches that make a future solid enough to destroy.