...the horrific fact that our lives and those of the people we love are impermanent and exquisitely fragile, that any of us can cease to exist without warning, that loving anyone, anywhere, at any time, leaves you infinitely vulnerable at every single moment. (20)

I figured anybody who talked about church as much as she did was using it a little like cocaine anyhow.

The truth will set you free. Unless you're guilty.

The roots of any evil deed can be traced to the perpetrator's refusal to experience pain.

...the horrific fact that our lives and those of the people we love are impermanent and exquisitely fragile, that any of us can cease to exist without warning, that loving anyone, anywhere, at any time, leaves you infinitely vulnerable at every single moment. (20)

There's no original evil left in the world. Everyone's just recycling pain. (257)

When people can do something simple to avoid conflict--say, hit a button or unlock a latch--they'll generally do it.