But happiness is being able to hope, however faintly, for happiness. So, at least, we must believe if we are to live in the world of today.

All I feel are the assaults of apprehension and terror at the thought that I am the only one who is entirely unlike the rest. It is almost impossible for me to converse with other people. What should I talk about, how should I say it? - I don't know.

Mother, recently I have discovered the one way in which human beings differ completely from other animals. Man has, I know, language, knowledge, principles, and social order, but don't all the other animals have them too, granted the difference of degree? Perhaps the animals even have religions. Man boasts of being the lord of all creation, but it would seem as if essentially he does not differ in the least from other animals. But, Mother, there was one way I thought of. Perhaps you won't understand. It's a faculty absolutely unique to man - having secrets. Can you see what I mean?

The weak fear happiness itself. They can harm themselves on cotton wool. Sometimes they are wounded even by happiness

And I was incapable of living all by myself in those lodgings where I didn't know a soul. It terrified me to sit by myself quietly in my room. I felt frightened, as if I might be set upon or struck by someone at any moment.

It would seem that the more irresponsible and crafty one is, the more likely one is to have a talent for storytelling.

But happiness is being able to hope, however faintly, for happiness. So, at least, we must believe if we are to live in the world of today.