Quotes from Stefan Grabi?ski

Ludwik Szatera was a passionate lover of nostalgia. He could never come to terms with the eternal passage of men, objects and events. Each moment inexorably turning into the past was to him precious, invaluable, and he witnessed its passing with a sense of inexpressible regret.

And if, indeed, there is nothing beyond the corner? Who can affirm if beyond so-called 'reality' anything exists at all? Beyond a reality that I have probably created? As long as I'm steeped in this reality up to my neck, as long as it is sufficient for me—everything is tolerable. But what would happen if I wanted one day to lean out of my safe environment and glance beyond its borders?

Der Mensch denkt nicht vergeblich. Kein Gedanke, auch nicht der wunderlichste, vergeht fruchtlos.

Yet I am still somewhat hampered. I cannot free myself from that strong, commanding voice which speaks to me, or from that mysterious power which pushes aside objects, contemptuous of their size; I am still wearied by endless monotonous roads that led nowhere. That is why I am not a perfect spirit, only an 'insane person', someone who arouses in normal people pity, contempt or fear. But I do not complain. Even like this, I am better off than those of healthy mind.

I became a practical person, 'healthy', normal to the point of nausea, an enemy to any type of eccentricity - and the most painful thing for me - I started to sneer at my former ideals.

Szygon understood that he made his unusual journeys under the influence of cosmic and elemental forces, and that train travel was a childish compromise caused by the circumstances of his earthly environment. He realized only too well that if it weren't for the sad fact that he was chained to the Earth and its laws, his travels, casting off the usual pattern and method, would take on an exceedingly more active and beautiful form.

Why should I be concerned about how much forward I've moved in relation to interstellar space? One has to be practical; I am a positivist, my dear sir.' 'An argument worthy of a table leg.