We are still in various kinds of patriarchal systems. The very definition of patriarchy is that men control women as the means of reproduction, so the idea that a woman's main role is to have children often means society wants more workers, more soldiers. The idea that how many children we have should be controlled by the family, the church, the nation - by anyone but women themselves - is still very deep and very strong.

I would say don't worry about what you should do, do whatever you can. And seek companions with shared values.

Being married is like having somebody permanently in your corner. It feels limitless, not limited.

In almost any situation, if you have been the powerful one, which would tend to be men more than women but not always, it's very important to listen as much as you talk. If you have been the less powerful one, it's very important to talk as much as you listen.

Perhaps the worst thing about suffering is that it finally hardens the hearts of those around it.

when pain has been intertwined with love and closeness, it's very difficult to believe that love and closeness can be experienced without pain.

... the art of politics is to be ahead of your time--about six months will do it. Any more than that, and people forget you were there.