It is important to emphasize that in professional environments, the ability to play the role is generally far more important than the ability to actually do the work.

— David Graeber, Bullshit Jobs

…we write that software. And that makes us the rulers of the world.

— Robert C. Martin, Clean Craftsmanship

On paper, the USSR under Stalin boasted an exemplary constitution, with far more democratic controls than European parliamentary systems of the time. It was just that, much as in the Federation, none of this had any bearing on how life actually worked.

— David Graeber, The Utopia of Rules

The principles of every passion, and of every sentiment, is in every man; and when touched properly, they rise to life, and warm the heart, and convey that satisfaction, by which a work of genius is distinguished from the adulterate° beauties of a capricious wit and fancy.

— David Hume, Essays, Moral, Political, and Literary

One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion.

— Simone De Beauvoir, The Coming of Age