It isn't given to us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world. They will not be cured by our most efficacious drugs or slain with our sharpest swords.

She confused him and hindered the flow of his ideas. Self-expression had never seemed at once so desirable and so impossible.

So he waited, listening for a moment longer to the tuning-fork that had been struck upon a star.

It's not a slam at you when people are rude, it's a slam at the people they've met before.

The words seemed to bite physically into Gatsby.

Then I grew up, and the beauty of succulent illusions fell away from me.

I had a strong sudden instinct that I must be alone. I didn’t want to see any people at all. I had seen so many people all my life -- I was an average mixer, but more than average in a tendency to identify myself, my ideas, my destiny, with those of all classes that came in contact with. I was always saving or being saved -- in a single morning I would go through the emotions ascribable to Wellington at Waterloo. I lived in a world of inscrutable hostiles and inalienable friends and supporters.