Our relationship could now thrive only in my head, and to discuss it with a mother intent—admittedly in my own best interest—on challenging it with reality might do it irreparable harm.

I did not grow up in poverty. But I did grow up with a poor boy's sense of longing, in my case not for what my family had never had, but for what we had had and lost.

It is remarkable indeed how we human beings are capable of delighting in the mating call of a flower while we are surrounded by the charred carcasses of our fellow animals.

...status, as in any traditional, class-conscious society, declines more slowly than wealth.

one's rules of propriety make one thirst for the improper.

You don't walk away to prove your worth. You walk away because you allowed someone else to dictate your value and you found yourself believing it.

And Robespierre, the Incorruptible, who loved us so much he cut off our heads so we would not be troubled by too many thoughts.

There is always a story behind what you like. Like what you like and be happy with what you like but don't ever forget to mind the real lessons from the story behind what you like.

When you fuse Christianity with power, it isn't long before Christians start imposing the cross on others rather than taking it up for themselves.

Gentlemen, I am tormented by questions; answer them for me.

From love arises hatred of those things which are contrary to what we love, or which oppose and thwart us in those things that we delight in.

Whatever it is you want to do, take a job in that field. You will learn by experience and, slow and steady, you'll get it done!

Punishment is not prevention. History offers cold comfort to those who think grievance and despair can be subdued by force.

...if you expect people to try to do things your way, you're going to have to give some hints as to what that way is.

One of the great conditions of anger and hatred is, that you must tell and believe lies against the hated object, in order, as we said, to be consistent.