One realm we have never conquered: the pure present.

The living self has one purpose only: to come into its own fullness of being, as a tree comes into full blossom, or a bird into spring beauty, or a tiger into lustre.

I cannot cure myself of that most woeful of youth's follies - thinking that those who care about us will care for the things that mean much to us.

Whales in mid-ocean, suspended in the waves of the sea great heaven of whales in the waters, old hierarchies. And enormous mother whales lie dreaming suckling their whale-tender young and dreaming with strange whale eyes wide open in the waters of the beginning and the end.

For my part, I prefer my heart to be broken. It is so lovely, dawn-kaleidoscopic within the crack.

Any novel of importance has a purpose. If only the "purpose" be large enough, and not at outs with the passional inspiration.

Nothing but love has made the dog lose his wild freedom, to become the servant of man.