Markus McDowell > Markus's Quotes

“I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

“We read books to find out who we are. What other people, real or imaginary, do and think and feel... is an essential guide to our understanding of what we ourselves are and may become.”
― Ursula K. LeGuin

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things..”
― Henry David Thoreau, Civil Disobedience and Other Essays

“You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.”
― Jack London

“A bit of narcissism here, a bit of sociopathy there. Not enough to keep him from being successful; enough to make everyone around him miserable.”
― Markus McDowell, To and Fro Upon the Earth: A Novel

“The universe doesn't deserve any playfulness at the moment.”
― Markus McDowell, To and Fro Upon the Earth: A Novel

“Wait, one question, Director. Some short guy in there said something about your ‘interest in non-verifiable influences.’ What was he talking about?”

She actually laughed. “Paul. Yeah. He does not believe that there is anything more to life than just what we see, measure, and catalog. I believe life and the universe are more complex than that.”

“What? Magic? God? Pantheism?”

“None of your business.”

“Well, for what it’s worth, I prefer controlling my destiny.”

“And how has that worked out for you so far?” With that, she turned and left.”
― Markus McDowell, The Celestial Life

“Exitus acta probat.

“Where did you get the idea that fairness is readily available in the world?”

“Because we strive for it, as humans.”

“No, we don’t. We strive for control of our lives and the world around us.”
― Markus McDowell, The Celestial Life