The essential characteristic of human play is not that the emotions are spurious, but that they are regulated. This is revealed when sanctions are im… - Eric Berne

Pastimes and games are substitutes for the real living of real intimacy.

"A few people, however, can still see and hear in the old way. But most of the members of the human race have lost the capacity to he painters, poets or musicians, and are not left the option of seeing and hearing directly even if they can afford to; they must get it secondhand. The recovery of this ability is called here "awareness.

The best way to tell a winner from a loser is this: A winner is a person who knows what he'll do next if he loses, but doesn't talk about it; a loser is one who doesn't know what he'll do if he loses, but talks about what he'll do if he wins.

we shared a common interest in how the past effects people — some let it decide who they are, while others make it part of what they will do.