Publication

One of the symptoms of approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important, and that to take a holiday would bring all kinds of disaster. If I were a medical man, I should prescribe a holiday to any patient who considered his or her work important.

–— Bertrand Russell, “The Conquest of Happiness” (1930)

Kublai Khan does not necessarily believe everything Marco Polo says when he describes the cities visited on his expeditions, but the emperor of the Tartars does continue listening to the young Venetian with greater attention and curiosity than he shows any other messenger or explorer of his.

–— Italo Calvino, “Invisible Cities” (1972)

In town, you're the law. But here, it's me. Don't push it. Don't push it, or I'll give you a war you won't believe. Let it go. Let it go.

–— “First Blood” (1982)