She was experiencing the same odd happiness and odd sadness as then. The sadness meant: We are at the last station. The happiness meant: We are together. The sadness was form, the happiness content. Happiness filled the space of sadness.

In the mind of a woman for whom no place is home the thought of an end to all flight is unbearable.

The sound of laughter is like the vaulted dome of a temple of happiness.

Joking is a barrier between man and the world. Joking is the enemy of love and poetry.

The novel is a meditation on existence as seen through the medium of imaginary characters.

The river flowed from century to century, and human affairs play themselves out on its banks. Play themselves out to be forgotten the next day, while the river flows on.

How did the senator know that children meant happiness? Could he see into their souls? What if the moment they were out of sight, three of them jumped the fourth and began beating him up?