Ticks & Picks

Great fortunes are generally made by solving the most obvious problems.

Your grandparents lived in a production economy, your parents lived in a service economy. You are living in an identity economy.

But the thing is, you raved and you bitched when you came home about the stupidity of audiences. The goddam unskilled laughter coming from the fifth row. And that's right, that's right - God knows it's depressing. I'm not saying it isn't. But that's none of your business, really. That's none of your business, Franny. An artist's only concern is to shoot for some kind of perfection, and on his own terms, not anyone else's. You have no right to think about these things, I swear to you. Not in any real sense, anyway.

if you don't realize that the only thing that counts in the religious life is detachment, I don't see how you ever move an inch. Detachment, buddy, and only detachment. Desirelessness. 'Cessations from all hankerings.'

You’d better get busy, though, buddy. The goddamn sands run out on you every time you turn around. I know what I’m talking about. You’re lucky if you get time to sneeze in this goddamn phenomenal world.

"The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or a hostile universe."

unwieldy (adj.)

Law of triviality

So, throughout life, our worst weaknesses and meannesses are usually committed for the sake of the people whom we most despise.

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.