„One thing, however, did become clear to him [Goldmund] – why so many perfect works of art did not please him at all, why they were almost hateful and boring to him, in spite of a certain undeniable beauty. Workshops, churches, and palaces were full of these fatal works of art; he had even helped with a few himself. They were deeply disappointing because they aroused the desire for the highest and did not fulfill it. They lacked the most essential thing – mystery. That was what dreams and truly great works of art had in common: mystery.“ Narcissus and Goldmund

The separation of psychology from the premises of biology is purely artificial, because the human psyche lives in indissoluble union with the body. Factors Determining Human Behavior

It is a hopeless endeavour to attract people to a theatre unless they can be first brought to believe that they will never get in. Nicholas Nickleby

 Food production, and competition and diffusion between societies, led as ultimate causes ... of conquest.  Guns, Germs And Steel