Choices are made in brief seconds and paid for in the time that remains

Even though he was afraid to admit it, when he was with her it seemed it was worth doing all those normal things that normal people do.

People took what they wanted, they clutched at coincidences, the few there were, and made a life from them. . . . Choices are made in brief seconds and paid for in the time that remains.

She hadn't chosen him over all the others. The truth was that she hadn't even thought about anyone else.

The love of those we don't love in return settles on the surface and from there quickly evaporates.

Feeling special is the worst kind of cage a person can build for himself.

Why did you choose to stay here?" (...) "I don't know," he said. "It's as if there's more oxygen here.

Mattia's voice no longer stirred anything in his stomach, but he was aware of the idea of him and always would be, as the only true benchmark for everything that had come afterward.

...finally her hands, so light, holding his head still and catching all his thoughts and imprisoning them there, in the space that no longer existed between them.

Mattia thought that he and Alice were like that, twin primes, alone and lost, close but not close enough to really touch each other.

Separating them were two layers of brick, a few inches of plaster, and nine years of silence.

When we fail, our pride supports us, and when we succeed it betrays us.

We are the sum and synergy of all our experiences.

What are all the thoughts rattling in your mind when you're not listening to the answers to questions you ask?" -Jo, Boom

There is no greater joy in life than the joy of creating something.

When you are in the 8 o'clock position, you can either be a cultural phenomenon, or you're endangered. It's a tough time slot.

It's but little good you'll do a-watering the last year's crops

If the referee happens to be in the way you just yell, 'move or I'll break your ankles!' which I used to do with referees. Some refs will stop and watch the fight it drives you crazy.

I'm not clever enough to be in machinations and real politics.

Being nuts is its own reward.

Soldiers are issued armour for their flesh and bones, but they must fashion their own for their souls. Piece by piece.