In each man's heart there lies a hole. A dark abyss of need, the filling of which takes precedence over all else.

You make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing.

I sound contemptuous, but I am not. I am interested--intrigued even--by the way time erases real lives, leaving only vague imprints. Blood and spirit fade away so that only names and dates remain.

Always remember, with a strong enough will, even the weak can wield great power.

Percy climbed the first step, then the next, remembering the thousands of times she'd run through the door, in a hurry to get to the future, to whatever was coming next, to this moment.

The stretch of years leaves none unmarked: the blissful sense of youthful invincibility peels away and responsibility brings its weight to bear.

Adults weren’t supposed to understand their children and you were doing something wrong if they did.