Maira Kalman · 336 pages
Rating: (7.9K votes)
“My dream is to walk around the world. A smallish backpack, all essentials neatly in place. A camera. A notebook. A traveling paint set. A hat. Good shoes. A nice pleated (green?) skirt for the occasional seaside hotel afternoon dance.”
― Maira Kalman, quote from The Principles of Uncertainty
“if something does go wrong, here is my advice... KEEP CALM and CARRY ON.”
― Maira Kalman, quote from The Principles of Uncertainty
“I have many questions, but no patience to think them through.”
― Maira Kalman, quote from The Principles of Uncertainty
“Soon enough it will be me struggling (valiantly?) to walk - lugging my stuff around. How are we all so brave as to take step after step? Day after day? How are we so optimistic, so careful not to trip and yet do trip, and then get up and say O.K. Why do I feel so sorry for everyone and so proud?”
― Maira Kalman, quote from The Principles of Uncertainty
“We could speak about the meaning of life vis-a-vis non-consequential/deontological theories, apodictic transformation schemata, the incoherence of exemplification, metaphysical realism, Cartesian interactive dualism, revised non reductive dualism, postmodernist grammatology and dicey dichotomies. But we would still be left with Nietzsche's preposterous mustache which instills great anguish and skepticism in the brain, which leads (as it did in his case) to utter madness. I suggest we go to Paris instead. ”
― Maira Kalman, quote from The Principles of Uncertainty
“Washing dishes is the anecdote to confusion. I know that for a fact.”
― Maira Kalman, quote from The Principles of Uncertainty
“On the wall was a dress that I embroidered. It said "Ich Habe Genug." Which is a Bach Cantata. Which I once thought meant "I've had it, I can't take anymore, give me a break." But I was wrong.
It means "I have enough." And that is utterly true. I happen to be alive. End of discussion. But I will go out and buy a hat.”
― Maira Kalman, quote from The Principles of Uncertainty
“The man stands behind the man.
The seated man thinks,
"For heaven's sake, stop standing behind me.
You are driving me mad. It is February and it is impossible.
Someone has thrown onion skins all over the stairwell. Now I will have to clean them up - though I love to sweep. But still, it is disgusting."
But all he says is "I have to go soon."
Why can't people tell the truth?
It is impossible not to lie.
It is February and not lying is impossible.”
― Maira Kalman, quote from The Principles of Uncertainty
“He is a monk. On his card it says INNER PEACE CENTER. I will go there in February for a tea ceremony. Does he actually know more than I do about inner peace? If he met my relatives, would he have a nervous breakdown? What about his relatives? Do they drive him nuts? The truth is everybody gets on everybody's nerves.”
― Maira Kalman, quote from The Principles of Uncertainty
Maira Kalman
Born place: Tel Aviv, Israel
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“Far below, the ocean was a bluegray rug being pulled out from beneath us.”
― Roger Zelazny, quote from This Immortal
“It’s not that Seaborg disliked Harvey, but after a couple of combat drops with the 2nd Platoon one got the sense that if you didn’t like things to explode unnecessarily around you, you would want to stay well clear of Daniel Harvey.”
― John Scalzi, quote from The Ghost Brigades
“Ask the Outsider what he ultimately wants,and he will admit he doesn't know.Why? Because he wants it instinctively,and it is not always possible to tell what your instincts are driving towards.”
― Colin Wilson, quote from The Outsider
“Say make me, remake me. You are free to do it and I am free to let you because look, look. Look where your hands are. Now.”
― Toni Morrison, quote from Jazz
“I want him to live,” he says.
I watch,
helpless,
as the pain slips out.
Tears fall
when he whispers,
“But damn it, I want to live, too.”
― Lisa Schroeder, quote from The Day Before
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