Who wants to die? Everything struggles to live. Look at that tree growing up there out of that grating. It gets no sun, and water only when it rains. It's growing out of sour earth. And it's strong because its hard struggle to live is making it strong. My children will be strong that way.
Betty SmithIn teaching your child, do not forget that suffering is good too. It makes a person rich in character.
Betty SmithIt doesn't take long to write things of which you know nothing. When you write of actual things, it takes longer, because you have to live them first.
Betty SmithThe difference between rich and poor", said Francie, "is that the poor do everything with thier own hands and the rich hire hands to do things.
Betty SmithIn the future, when something comes up, you tell exactly how it happened but write down for yourself the way you think it should have happened. Tell the truth and write the story. Then you won't get mixed up. It was the best advice Francie every got.
Betty SmithShe was surprised at how tiny it seemed now. She supposed the school was just as big as it had ever been only her eyes had grown used to looking at bigger things.
Betty SmithShe went out and took a last long look at the shabby little library. She knew she would never see it again. Eyes changed after they looked at new things. If in the years to be she were to come back, her new eyes might make everything seem different from the way she saw it now. The way it was now was the way she wanted to remember it.
Betty Smith