. . . a relationship has a momentum, it must change and develop, and will tend to move toward the point of greatest commitment.

People who are genuinely involved in life, not just living a routine they've contrived to protect them from disaster, always seem to have more demanded of them than they can easily take on.

as the years go on a sense of deep patience comes over one; one seems to know the virtue of ripeness, and the danger of rushing events.

Power consists to a large extent in deciding what stories will be told.

one sank into the ancient sin of anomie when challenges failed.

One cannot make up stories; one can only retell in new ways the stories one has already heard.

Ironically, women who acquire power are more likely to be criticized for it than are the men who have always had it.