Men are said to desire women, Severian. Why do they despise the women they obtain?

You never learn how to write a novel. You just learn how to write the novel that you're writing.

Imagine a man who stands before a mirror; a stone strikes it, and it falls to ruin all in an instant. And the man learns that he is himself, and not the mirrored man he had believed himself to be.

People don't want other people to be people.

Weak people believe what is forced on them. Strong people what they wish to believe, forcing that to be real.

Knowledge is soon changed, then lost in the mist, an echo half-heard.

My definition of good literature is that which can be read by an educated reader, and reread with increased pleasure.

There is no limit to stupidity. - Space itself is said to be bounded by its own curvature, but stupidity continues beyond infinity.

Ambiguity is necessary in some of my stories, not in all. In those, it certainly contributes to the richness of the story. I doubt that thematic closure is never attainable.

Evolution teaches us the original purpose of language was to ritualize men's threats and curses, his spells to compel the gods; communication came later.

All time exists. That is the truth.... If the future did not exist now, how could we journey toward it? If the past does not exist still, how could we leave it behind?

God deals us all different hands. How we play 'em is up to us.

Be an example, be kind and be simple.

I do not get involved in the game to think that it is a future transition for me getting back into the ring. It was not my intention. I've stated many times that I did it for my son.

A dream is a massive magic trick of the mind. No amount of science could explain away the mysterious wonder.

You have to have short fingernails or they'd just break off, and you can't wear red polish - it looks like your fingers are bleeding.

'Vegetarian' is a slippery word. I don't eat cheese, I don't eat duck - the point is I'm vegan.

Clowns are always creepy!

All I ever wanted was to sing to God. He gave me that longing and then made me mute.

The gratitude of place-expectants is a lively sense of future favours.

Pleasure is often spoiled by describing it.