Only now do I understand the war against boredom, the lost cause of empty hours, of empty days and nights.

I think after you live it's like before you lived.

If the thrill of hunting were in the hunt, or even in the marksmanship, a camera would do just as well.

The bruises go away, and so does how you hate, and so does the feeling that everything you receive from life is something you have earned.

Whether we're talking about fish species, pigs, or some other eaten animal, is such suffering the most important thing in the world? Obviously not. But that's not the question. Is it more important that sushi, bacon, or chicken nuggets? That's the question.

It's so hard to express yourself.' I understand this.' I want to express myself.' The same is true for me.' I'm looking for my voice.' It's in your mouth.' I want to do something I'm not ashamed of.' Something you are proud of, yes?' Not even. I just don't want to be ashamed.

Food serves two parallel purposes: it nourishes and it helps you remember. Eating and storytelling are inseparable-the saltwater is also tears; the honey not only tastes sweet, but makes us think of sweetness; the matzo is the bread of our affliction.