however long we have to live, there are never enough springs.

Youth goes caparisoned in immortality.

Absolute nakedness was intrusive, confusing to the senses. Paradoxically, it both revealed and diminished identity.

Charm is always genuine; it may be superficial but it isn't false.

People were excited by violence. What, after all, was the sexual act but a voluntarily endured assault, a momentary death?

But what do you believe? I don't just mean religion. What are you sure of?" "That once I was not and that now I am. That one day I shall no longer be.

In youth we take egregious risks because death has no reality for us. Youth goes caparisoned in immortality. It is only in middle age that we are shadowed by the awareness of the transitoriness of life.