Teachers were both blamed for everything that went wrong with kids and turned to for their every salvation. This dual role of scapegoat and savior was downright messianic but even Jesus was probably paid better.

It's far less important to me to be liked these days than to be understood.

Built like an oak tree, against which I could pitch my pillow and read; mornings, I could curl into the crook of your branches.

I thought at the time that I couldn't be horrified anymore, or wounded. I suppose that's a common conceit, that you've already been so damaged that damage itself, in its totality, makes you safe.

A boy is a dangerous animal.

Only a country that feels invulnerable can afford political turmoil as entertainment.

Notoriety is cheap. It's just easier to get noticed by doing something bad.