Software and cathedrals are much the same – first we build them, — Programming

"There are two ways to write error-free programs; only the third one works."

"No matter how slick the demo is in rehearsal, when you do it in front of a live audience, the probability of a flawless presentation is inversely proportional to the number of people watching, raised to the power of the amount of money involved."

"On two occasions I have been asked, – "Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?" In one case a member of the Upper, and in the other a member of the Lower House put this question. I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."

"Structured Programming supports the law of the excluded muddle."

"To me programming is more than an important practical art. It is also a gigantic undertaking in the foundations of knowledge."

"Computer programs are the most intricate, delicately balanced and finely interwoven of all the products of human industry to date. They are machines with far more moving parts than any engine: the parts dont wear out, but they interact and rub up against one another in ways the programmers themselves cannot predict."

"To those who wish to punish others — or at least to see them punished, if the avengers are too cowardly to take matters into their own hands — the belief in a fiery, hideous hell appears to be a great source of comfort."

"The art of war consists in being always able, even with an inferior army, to have stronger forces than the enemy at the point of attack or the point which is attacked."

"Gentleness, good treatment, honor the victor and dishonor the vanquished, who should remain aloof and owe nothing to pity — In war, audacity is the finest calculation of genius."

"In war one must lean on an obstacle in order to overcome it."

"Just as the sinner will not escape with his booty, the patience of the upright man will not go unrewarded. God will reward every act of mercy; each person will be treated according to his deeds."

"Envy is of all others the most ungratifying and disconsolate passion. There is power for ambition, pleasure for luxury, and pelf even for covetousness; but envy gets no reward but yexation."