Michael David Lukas · 304 pages
Rating: (2.8K votes)
“She hadn't lied. She hadn't betrayed anyone's trust; still, she felt she had done something wrong. Or rather, she had not yet done the right thing. Was there a difference between these two sins?”
― Michael David Lukas, quote from The Oracle of Stamboul
“With every choice, even the choice of inactivity, we must shut the door to a host of alternate futures. Each step we take along the path of fate represents a narrowing of potential, the death of a parallel world. The path of fate was more like a tunnel, and it was constricting about her with ever step she took.”
― Michael David Lukas, quote from The Oracle of Stamboul
“You are a very special child," the old handmaid said, stroking Eleonora's hair. "You know that don't you?"
Eleonora mumbled a yes.
"You know you are special, but I think that you aren't sure how."
She nodded. That was, indeed, the crux of it.”
― Michael David Lukas, quote from The Oracle of Stamboul
“A slippery fish, flashing scales in the water and a noble fighter on the line, but dull as lead at the bottom of the boat.”
― Michael David Lukas, quote from The Oracle of Stamboul
“This divergence of experience was not a stumbling block to conversation; indeed, it was what made the conversation interesting.”
― Michael David Lukas, quote from The Oracle of Stamboul
Michael David Lukas
Born place: in Berkeley, CA, The United States
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“He fell ass over tea Kettle”
― C.E. Murphy, quote from Urban Shaman
“I believe in magic. In evil sorceresses who deep down are really beautiful princesses. I believe in immortals who live in a different world than this one, accessible by magical stone wheels.”
― Morgan Rhodes, quote from Crystal Storm
“(I Sam. 15:23). When a woman attempts to live for God contrary to his Word, her “spirituality” is equal to witchcraft, because she is attempting to “divine” the will of God in total disregard of his clear written words. God calls such a woman “Jezebel.”
― Debi Pearl, quote from Created to be His Help Meet
“أقعنعنا فليشمان فعلاً في الحديث بالتفصيل عن نظريته الخاصة بالواقع الجنسي. وعند منتصف الليل كان قد قطع شوطاً طويلاً في الموضوع وقدّم لنا عرضاً رائعاً للمشكلة كلها. تظاهرنا في بعض الأحيان أنّنا لم نفهمه مما اضطره إلى إيضاح الأمور بصورة أفضل.
وكانت النتائج تفوق تصوراتنا. فهو ببراعنه العلمية الفائقة أظهر فهماً كبيراً للمشكلة، حيث يرى أنّ الدافع الجنسي عند الإنسان له أساس رومانسي عند الإنسان له أساس رومانسي شأنه الدافع الشعري. فعندما يتلقى الشاعر عمق الخلود من منظر الجبال، يعرف جيداً أنّ الجبال ليست آلهة مغطاة بالسحاب. بل إنّ عقله يضفي عليها بهاءً شديداً، أو أنّه يراها رمزاً لبهاء عقله الخفي، هذا وتُذَكِّرُهُ عظمتها وشموخها بعظمته وشموخه. وعندما يقع الإنسان في هوى امرأة، فإن الشاعر فيه هو الذي يرى فيها أداة للارتقاء. وطاقة الدافع الجنسي هذه إنّما هي الطاقة الإلهية الموجودة لدى الإنسان، كما أنّ الدافع الجنسي يستطيع أن يستثير هذه الطاقة مثلما يستثير الجبل إحساسه بالجمال. وذكر فليشمان أنّه يتعين علينا أن ننظر إلى الإنسان ليس باعتباره وحدة وإنّما صراعاً دائماً بين الذات العليا والذات الدنيا.
ويمثّل الانحراف الجنسي كما هو موجود عند دي ساد هاتين الذاتين وهما في صراع ملتحم لايمكن معه فصلهما أبدأً. وتُوَظّفُ الذات الدنيا عمداً قوى الذات العليا لأغراضها الخاصة.”
― Colin Wilson, quote from The Mind Parasites
“You’re quoted as saying, ‘The bad news is, we won’t get much sleep tonight; the good news is, we get to kill people.’” She paused, as if waiting for me to disavow the quote. I was silent, and she went on. “We have a retired Army officer on our staff, and he warned me that there are people who enjoy killing, and they aren’t nice to be around. Could you please explain your quote for me?”
“No, I cannot.”
“Well, do you really feel that way?” Her tone was earnest, almost pleading.
“You mean, will I climb your clock tower and pick people off with a hunting rifle?”
It was her turn to be silent.
“No, I will not. Do I feel compelled to explain myself to you? I don’t.”
― quote from One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer
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