He thought: How difficult it is to explain yourself to yourself. Sometimes there only is, and no knowing.

History dies without the present. There is no future without the path made to it by the past.

Readers are made by readers - it is so obvious it is almost banal to say it.

I don't actually think “true love” is such a good term because love can only be true. If it isn't true it can't be love.

The demons of the Devil don't use your weak weaknesses against you, they use your strong ones. If you're rational and logical, they argue their case rationally and logically. If you're loyal and faithful, they turn those against you. If you're passionate and emotional, they make you passionate and emotional about your worse fears. Your weak weaknesses are no use to them.... They find the strongest weaknesses you didn't know were yours and use those against you.

She was--I keep using the past tense; I ought to say she is--one of those people who, at first sight, look plain, are quiet, unassertive, unmemorable even. But who, when they start to talk and you get to know them, become more and more attractive and impressive, and you see that in fact they are beautiful. Not conventionally beautiful, not celebrity beautiful, but beautiful all through.

He thought: How difficult it is to explain yourself to yourself. Sometimes there only is, and no knowing.