Gratuitousness Define Quotes & Sayings

No one writes a story like Lydia Davis. In the years since she began publishing her lyrical, extremely short fiction, she has quietly become one of the most impactful influences on American writers, even if they don't know it. That's largely because she makes economy seem so easy. You could read several of her stories into a friend's voicemail box before you were cut off (and you should). You could fit one of her stories in this column. Some you could write on your palm. — Jonathan Messinger

I'll tell you why I'm Shirley," Count Olaf said. "I'm Shirley because I would like to be called Shirley, and it is impolite not to do so. — Lemony Snicket

You cannot spontaneously levitate and hover above the ground, whether or not you are seated in the lotus position. Although, in principle, you could perform this stunt if you managed to let loose a powerful and sustained exhaust of flatulence. — Neil DeGrasse Tyson

A sort of transaction went on between them, in which she was on one side, and life was on another, and she was always trying to get the better of it, as it was of her. — Virginia Woolf

The power of uncovering India's biggest concealment is in your hands. — Sambhav Ratnakar

Though neglectful of their responsibility to protect science, scientists are increasingly aware of their responsibility to society. — John Polanyi

Goodbye is the waving map of your palm, is a stone on my tongue. — Natasha Trethewey

Love is when you're with someone and you never check the time because for you, time doesn't exist. — S. Walden

Is it not amazing that around a man as cold as I am, there should always be fire? Sometimes it tries to burn me, but I usually collect my things and leave. — Halldor Laxness

The twisted circumstances under which we live is grist for the writing mill, the loving, hating and discovering, finding new handles for old pitchers ... — Alice Childress