The older I get, the clearer it becomes to me that no one is cheated in this world, unless it's by himself.
Merle ShainYou can tell a lot about what a man lacks by watching what he is cynical about, and many of us are cynical about love.
Merle ShainThe roots of love sink down and deep and strike out far, and they are arteries that feed our lives, so we must see that they get the water and sun they need so they can nourish us. And when you put something good into the world, something good comes back to you.
Merle ShainThe conflict between what one is and who one is expected to be touches all of us. And sometimes, rather than reach for what one could be, we choose the comfort of the failed role, preferring to be the victim of circumstance, the person who didn't have a chance.
Merle ShainGirls gave sex to get love and boys gave love to get sex and conning girls was the favorite indoor sport.
Merle ShainI'm not sure there can be loving without commitment, although commitment takes all kinds of forms, and there can be commitment for the moment as well as commitment for all time. The kind that is essential for loving marriages - and love affairs, as well - is a commitment to preserving the essential quality of your partner's soul, adding to them as a person rather than taking away.
Merle Shain