“War presents itself as necessary for self-protection, when in fact it is necessary for self-identification.” — James P. Carse Copy Share Image
“Therefore, poets do not 'fit' into society, not because a place is denied them but because they do not take their 'places' seriously. They openly see its roles as theatrical, its styles as poses, its clothing costumes, its rules conventional,… — James P. Carse Copy Share Image
“The issue here is not whether self-veiling can be avoided, or even should be avoided. Indeed, no finite play is possible without it. The… — James P. Carse Copy Share Image
“No one can play a game alone. One cannot be human by oneself. There is no selfhood where there is no community. We do… — James P. Carse Copy Share Image
A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play. — James P. Carse Copy Share Image
“Immortality is therefore the supreme example of the contradictoriness of finite play: It is a life one cannot live.” — James P. Carse Copy Share Image
“Evil is never intended as evil. Indeed, the contradiction inherent in all evil is that it originates in the desire to eliminate evil. “The… — James P. Carse Copy Share Image
“To be prepared against surprise is to be trained. To be prepared for surprise is to be educated. Education discovers an increasing richness in… — James P. Carse Copy Share Image
“It is a highly valued function of society to prevent changes in the rules of the many games it embraces... Deviancy, however, is the… — James P. Carse Copy Share Image
“...religion ceases to be religion when its poetic authority is recast as civic authority.” — James P. Carse Copy Share Image
“Although it may be evident enough in theory that whoever plays a finite game plays freely, it is often the case that finite players… — James P. Carse Copy Share Image
“We are playful when we engage others at the level of choice, when there is no telling in advance where our relationship with them… — James P. Carse Copy Share Image
“Surprise in finite play is the triumph of the past over the future. The Master Player who already knows what moves are to be… — James P. Carse Copy Share Image
“Titles are public. They are for others to notice. I expect others to address me according to my titles, but I do not address… — James P. Carse Copy Share Image
