A man on a horse is spiritually, as well as physically, bigger then a man on foot.

Some days are born ugly. From the very first light they are no damn good what ever the weather, and everbody knows it. No one knows what causes this, but on such a day people resist getting out of bed and set their heels against the day. When they are finally forced out by hunger or job they find that the day is just as lousy as they knew it would be.

I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why.

I don't think there is a single sentence in this whole book [East of Eden] that does not either develop character, carry on the story or provide necessary background.

It is the nature of a person as he/she grows older to protest against change, particularly changes for the better.

He said, "I am a man," and that meant certain things to Juana. It meant that he was half insane and half god.

Sometimes when she was alone, and she knew she was alone, she permitted her mind to play in a garden, and she smiled.