endurance of inescapable sorrow is something which has to be learned alone. And only to endure is not enough. Endurance can be a harsh and bitter root in one's life, bearing poisonous and gloomy fruit, destroying other lives. Endurance is only the beginning. There must be acceptance and the knowledge that sorrow fully accepted brings its own gifts. For there is an alchemy in sorrow. It can be transmuted into wisdom, which, if it does not bring joy, can yet bring happiness.

Now, five years is nothing in a man's life except when he is very young and very old... - Wang Lung

Our bodies can be mobilized by law and police and men with guns, if necessary-but where shall we find that which will make us believe in what we must do, so that we can fight through to victory?

None but the ignorant can be bored by life. To the lovers of learning, life is pure adventure shared with adventurers.

Love dies only when growth stops.

Inside myself is a place where I live all alone and that is where I renew my springs that never dry up.

It is worse than folly... not to recognize the truth, for in it lies the tinder for tomorrow.