"Furious activity is no substitute for understanding."

“As we reach the crest of life and look at the path before us, we apprehend that the path no longer ascends but slopes downward toward decline and diminishment. From that point on, concerns about death are never far from mind.”

“Ever since my youth it has disturbed me that of the literary works that survived their own epoch, so many dealt with historical rather than contemporary subjects.”

“In my view all salvation for philosophy may be expected to come from Darwin's theory”

Source : Ludwig Boltzmann, J.T. Blackmore (1995). “Ludwig Boltzmann His Later Life and Philosophy, 1900–1906: Book One: A Documentary History”, p.142, Springer Science & Business Media

“No-one is born with perfect eyebrow.”

“I want to make a bet with you.” Her interest perked up. “You do? About what?” Already knowing it wouldn’t go over well, Spencer braced himself. “I bet you can’t go a month without cursing.” Her chin tucked in, and her brows came down. “What does that have to do with anything?” He had no idea, except that it annoying him to hear her be so coarse. “Go a month without cursing.” He hated himself, but he said, “Every time you slip, you owe me a kiss.”

Source : Lori Foster (2012). “A Perfect Storm”, p.24, HQN Books

“That's sort of a trick question, and I don't have a trick answer. Next question, please.”

“Emotional luggage nothing of it, I don't check bags, I just carry on, leave that bullshit in the past”

“There's a gang of boys on bikes blocking the road ahead. They've got their hoods up, cigarettes shielded. The sky's a really strange colour and there's hardly anyone else about. I slow right down. "What shall I do?" "Reverse," Zoey says. "They're not going to move." I wind down the window. "Oi!" I yell "Move your arses!" They turn languid, shift lazily to the edge of the road and grin as I blow kisses at them. Zoey looks stunned, "What's got into you?" "Nothing- I just haven't learned reversing yet.”

Source : Jenny Downham (2007). “Before I Die”, David Fickling Books