One of the things that is nice about these old pastors - they were young at the time - who went into the Middle West is that they were real humanists. They were often linguists, for example, and the schools that they established were then, as they are now, real liberal arts colleges where people studied the humanities in a very broad sense. I think that should be reflected in his mind; appropriately, it is.
Marilynne RobinsonPeople who feel any sort of regret where you are concerned will suppose you are angry, and they will see anger in what you do, even if you're just quietly going about a life of your own choosing. They will make you doubt yourself, which, depending on cases, can be a severe distraction and a waste of time. This is a thing I wish I had understood much earlier than I did.
Marilynne RobinsonI am grateful for all those dark years, even though in retrospect they seem like a long, bitter prayer that was answered finally.
Marilynne RobinsonAnd often enough, when we think we are protecting ourselves, we are struggling against our rescuer.
Marilynne RobinsonThe great truth that is too often forgotten is that it is in the nature of people to do good to one another.
Marilynne Robinson