How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Ben had been my best friend since fifth grade, when we both finally owned up to the fact that neither of us were likely to attract anyone else as a best friend. (1.1.9)
That's one way to find a friend, but what do Quentin and Ben have in common? Maybe not much, which is why they end up fighting later on in the novel.
Quote #2
"We're not friends. We're neighbors." (1.2.40)
Margo Roth Spiegelman calls Quentin her friend, but he's quick to clarify that they're just neighbors—they haven't actually hung out in nine years. But Margo seems to have a different definition of friend than Quentin does, and she only calls him her friend so he'll drive her around town.
Quote #3
"Do I not order my various and sundry minions to be kind to you at school?" (1.2.41)
Margo Roth Spiegelman doesn't have friends; she has minions. And what do minions always do to the ruthless leader?
Quote #4
"When you say nasty things about people, you should never say the true ones, because you can't really fully and honestly take those back, you know?" (1.5.7)
Invaluable friendship advice from Margo Roth Spiegelman: When you want to be mean to your friends, make sure you're only spreading mean lies about them, not mean truths.
Quote #5
"Yeah, well, I was always friends with a lot of people." (1.7.67)
This is one of those things like how if everyone were special, no one would be. If everyone is Margo Roth Spiegelman's friend, then does she really have any friends?
Quote #6
I knew exactly what Ben meant: he meant listening to the Mountain Goats with your friends in a car that runs on a Wednesday morning in May on the way to Margo and whatever Margotastic prize came with finding her. (2.8.19)
It seems that doing something spontaneous with your friends creates wonderful memories, instead of planning every last detail (à la Margo Roth Spiegelman).
Quote #7
"I am happy to participate in your investigation. But I have a girlfriend. She wants to have a nice prom. I want to have a nice prom. It's not my fault that Margo Roth Spiegelman didn't want us to have a nice prom." (2.11.48)
Radar respects Quentin's desire to find Margo Roth Spiegelman, but he's not willing to sacrifice his own life for it. Friends are allowed to have their own lives, too, after all—something Margo, who thinks the world revolves around her, doesn't seem to realize.
Quote #8
I did not expect to see Jase Worthington and two other baseball players holding a tuxedo-clad Ben upside down above a keg of beer. (2.13.21)
Ben makes new friends, and Quentin is angry with him for it. But why? Is Quentin jealous? Or does he just not want Ben to be friends with people he doesn't like? Do Ben's friends affect Quentin in any way at all?
Quote #9
I wonder if [Margo] created this journey for us on purpose or by accident—regardless, it's the most fun I've had since the last time I spent hours behind the wheel of a minivan. (3.1.22)
The reason this trip is so fun for Quentin is that he's getting to spend time with his friends living, instead of sitting in his room trying to be like Margo.
Quote #10
I don't know how I look, but I know how I feel: Young. Goofy. Infinite. (3.4.52)
What is this, The Perks of Being Wallflower? What is it with teens feeling infinite while in a car together?