Only where there is disillusionment and depression and sorrow does happiness arise; without the despair of loss, there is no hope.

I guess I felt attached to my weakness. My pain and suffering too. Summer light, the smell of a breeze, the sound of cicadas - if I like these things, why should I apologize?

You can’t look too far ahead. Do that and you’ll lose sight of what you’re doing and stumble. I’m not saying you should focus solely on the details right in front of you, mind you. You’ve got to look ahead a bit or else you’ll bump into something. You’ve got to conform to the proper order and at the same time keep an eye out for what’s ahead. That’s critical, no matter what you’re doing.

Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.

[...] Shimamoto had her own little world within her. A world that was for her alone, one I could not enter.

All imperfections are forced upon the imperfect, so the 'perfect' can live content and oblivious.

Not that running away's going to solve everything. I don't want to rain on your parade or anything, but I wouldn't count on escaping this place if I were you. No matter how far you run. Distance might not solve anything.