Normally, any decision I confront is forced to navigate the seemingly endless bureaucracy of my conscience.
-- John (Chapter 1 paragraph 2)

Importance: This quote shows the state of mind that John was in when he was considering whether or not he should get 'the cure'. He is stating that ordinarily he tends to take a long time to carefully weigh his decisions, but in this case, he didn't. It is clear that he regrets this rash decision, though at this point in the novel, the reader doesn't know why.

It’s an ageless life, John. Did you really expect it to be painless?
-- Dr. X. (Chapter 5 paragraph 32)

Importance: John is shocked that there are restraints on the table where he's to lie down and get the cure injections. When he asks the doctor why there are restraints the doctor replies that they are deep tissue injections and that he can give him a topical analgesic if he needs it. This is...