Childhood was the germ of all mistrust. You were cruelly joked upon and then you cruelly joked. You lost the remembrance of pain through inflicting it.

Men can become twins with age. The past was their common womb; the six months of rain and the six months of sun was the period of their common gestation. They needed only a few words and a few gestures to convey their meaning. They had graduated through the same fevers, they were moved by the same love and contempt.

I know one thing you don't. I know the difference between Right and Wrong. They didn't teach you that at school.' Rose didn't answer; the woman was quite right: the two words meant nothing to her. Their taste was extinguished by stronger foods--Good and Evil.

What have we all got to expect that we allow ourselves to be so lined with disappointment?

Any man who knocks on the door of a brothel is looking for God.

Cynicism is cheap - you can buy it at any Monoprix store - it's built into all poor-quality goods.

It is impossible to go through life without trust: that is to be imprisoned in the worst cell of all, oneself.