Few occasions are as joyous to small children as funerals, almost better than the big wedding blowouts that take place at night when it's hard to stay awake. A small boy will never be harshly criticized at a funeral; he is more treasured as death comes close and all his wickedness vanishes before the inescapable fact that thank God, he is healthy.

A political policy is equated with moral right, and opposition to it with diabolical malevolence.

Cleave to no faith when faith brings blood.

Until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him beautiful in Heaven.

It was not really possible to understand oneself, let alone another human being.

Sometimes...it's better for a man just to walk away. But if you can't walk away? I guess that's when it's tough.

I think the tragic feeling is invoked in us when we are in the presence of a character who is ready to lay down his life, if need be, to secure one thing -- his sense of personal dignity.