Do you think it's funny to be so serious when I'm not even out of high school?' she asked. 'I don't see how it could be any other way,' said Lee. 'Laughter comes later, like wisdom teeth, and laughter at yourself comes last of all in a mad race with death, and sometimes it isn't in time.

An unbelieved truth can hurt a man much more than a lie. It takes great courage to back truth unacceptable to our times. There's a punishment for it, and it's usually crucifixion.

If we could learn even a little to like ourselves, maybe our cruelties and angers might melt away.

A stilted heron labored up into the air and pounded down the river.

I hold that a writer who does not passionately believe in the perfectibility of man has no dedication nor any membership in literature.

The fields were fruitful, and starving men moved on the roads.

For every man in the world functions to the best of his ability, and no one does less than his best, no matter what he may think about it.