We learn the social norms of our society and modify our behaviour accordingly.

Become as knowledgeable as possible.

To me, cruelty is the worst of human sins. Once we accept that a living creature has feelings and suffers pain, then by knowingly and deliberately inflicting suffering on that creature, we are guilty, whether it be human or animal.

For those who have experienced the joy of being alone with nature there is really little need for me to say much more; for those who have not, no words of mine can ever describe the powerful, almost mystical knowledge of beauty and eternity that come, suddenly, and all unexpected.

Some people say, therefore, that violence and war are inevitable. I say rubbish: Our brains are fully capable of controlling instinctive behavior.

At some point, my body will collapse. But I hope that my brain will still be working so that I can carry on with writing.

A sense of calm came over me. More and more often I found myself thinking, "This is where I belong. This is what I came into this world to do.