Water is powerful. It can wash away earth, put out fire, and even destroy iron.

Adversity is like a strong wind. I don't mean just that it holds us back from places we might otherwise go. It also tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that afterward we see ourselves as we really are.

Couldn't the wrong sort of living turn anyone mean? I remembered very well that one day back in Yoroido, a boy pushed me into a thorn bush near the pond. By the time I clawed my way out I was mad enough to bite through wood. If a few minutes of suffering could make me so angry, what would years of it do? Even stone can be worn down with enough rain.

I could no more have stopped myself from feeling that sadness than you could stop yourself from smelling an apple that has been cut open on the table before you.

My feelings of disgust had been so loud within me, they’d nearly drowned out everything else.

We none of us find as much kindness in this world as we should.

If a few minutes of suffering could make me so angry, what would years of it do? Even a stone can be worn down with enough rain.