You who wish to conquer pain, you must learn what makes one kind.

And clenching your fist for the ones like us Who are oppressed by the figures of beauty.

Part of the shabbiness of our culture, if indeed it is shabby, is that it doesn't seem to prepare people. With all the songs about love and all the movies and all the books, there doesn't seem to be any way that we can prepare the human heart for this experience.

I think there's an appetite for seriousness. Seriousness is voluptuous, and very few people have allowed themselves the luxury of it.

...a young nurse is standing close behind me wondering whether she is being drawn by my power or her charity.

I don't have any spiritual strategy.

Your heart opens and of course you're completely panicked because you're used to guarding this organ with your life.