As Mary delivered what was to be her last lecture about the Galápagos Islands, she would be stopped mid-sentence for five seconds by a doubt which, if expressed in words, might have come out something like this: "Maybe I'm just a crazy lady who had wandered off the street and into this classroom and started explaining the mysteries of life to these people. And they believe me, although I am utterly mistaken about simply everything." She had to wonder, too, about all the supposedly great teachers of the past, who, although their brains were healthy, had turned out to be as wrong as Roy about what was really going on.

— Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

A society, on occasion, can be the worst possible describer of mental health.

— Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

As the new Adam, it might be said, his final act was to cast the Apple of Knowledge into the deep blue sea.

— Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

A winded, defeated-looking fat woman in filthy coveralls trudged beside us, hearing what Miss Peak said. She turned to examine Dr. Breed, looking at him with helpless reproach. She hated people who thought too much. At that moment, she struck me as an appropriate representative for almost all mankind.

— Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

A woman's not a woman till the pills wear off.

— Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

A writer off-guard since the materials with which he works are so dangerous can expect agony as quick as a thunderclap.

— Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Be a good editor. The Universe needs more good editors, God knows.

— Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Be a sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them -- in order that the reader may see what they are made of."[From the preface.]

— Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Be aware of this truth that the people on this earth could be joyous, if only they would live rationally and if they would contribute mutually to each other's welfare. This world is not a vale of sorrows if you will recognize discriminating what is truly excellent in it; and if you will avail yourself of it for mutual happiness and well-being. Therefore, let us explain as often as possible, and particularly at the departure of life, that we base our faith on firm foundations, on Truth for putting into action our ideas which do not depend on fables and ideas which Science has long ago proven to be false.

— Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

...because there is nothing intelligent to say about a massacre. Everybody is supposed to be dead, to never say anything or want anything ever again. Everything is supposed to be very quiet after a massacre, and it always is, except for the birds.

— Kurt Vonnegut Jr.