Quotes from Bill Hayes

Self-knowledge can, and ought, to apply not only to the soul, but also to the body; the man without insight into the fabric of his body has no knowledge of himself. —JOHN MOIR, student of anatomy, notes from opening lecture, Anatomical Education in a Scottish University, 1620

In the year 1240, however, a radical change in policy took effect. Frederick II, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, decreed that, for the sake of public health and the training of better doctors, at least one human body would be dissected in his kingdom every five years. For this bold move, Frederick II is credited with single-handedly pulling the field of anatomy out of the dark ages.

Anathomia by Mondino dei Liucci, c. 1493

rolls, the snow fell hard—hard—piling on

Sometimes it will be difficult and you'll question why you ever moved here. But New York will always answer you. Yes, remember that. New York will always answer you.

Can one ever experience pleasure that is not attached to an object? Pure pleasure? [...] Well, one can say, a piece of music gave you pleasure. or seeing a handsome face, or smelling something delicious. But can pleasure be independent of any influences?

Beauty is a balm to grief.

And as I listened, happily, while also taking in the great beauty of my surroundings - "an attack of beauty

I say I love writing, but really it is thinking I love- that rush of thoughts- new connections in the brain being made. And it comes out of the blue. In such moments: I feel such love of the world, love of thinking...

I find Rome gentle, magical. The sun had just set, and the light was extraordinary-- smoky-rosy-golden-violet, light that cannot be captured in a photo or, for that matter, in words.

savoring the words, and then aloud to me: "'Reckon not upon long life: think every day the last, and live always beyond thy account. He that so often surviveth his Expectation lives many Lives, and will scarce complain of the shortness of his days. Time past is gone like a Shadow; make time to come present—'" "—So

I've suddenly realized what you mean to me: You create the need which you fill, the hunger you sate. Like Jesus. And Kierkegaard. And smoked trout …

O: "Oh, oh, oh …!" I: "What was that for?" O: "I found your fifth rib." In the middle of the night: "Wouldn't it be nice if we could dream together?" O whispers.

I once said to someone that one doesn't come to New York for beauty. I said that's what Paris, or Iceland is for. [...] I didn't know what the hell I was talking about. [...] The thing is, beauty comes in unbeautfiul ways here.

Laughter rises. Hearing happy, laughing people is no cure for insomnia but has an ameliorative effect on brokenheartedness.

This is when I let each girl in on secret: It can be yours. No different from falling in love with a song, one may fall in love with a work of art and claim it as one's own. Ownership does not come free. One must spend time with it; visit at different times of the day or evening; and bring to it one's full attention. The investment will be repaid as one discovers something new with each viewing... [...] Stay awhile. Spend some time with it. Give it a proper name: Yours.

Beauty stops traffic.

Let the same thing, or the same duty, return at the same time everyday, it will soon become pleasant.

The kidneys also provide a perfect illustration of an age-old anatomical truth: the body is designed to protect itself, not to be easy to dissect.

O: 'I don't so much fear death as I do wasting life.

I watch his face as he speaks. He looks so peaceful and happy … on a planet where the sound of rain falling is like Bach…

agrypnia excitata,