A birdsong can even, for a moment, make the whole world into a sky within us, because we feel that the bird does not distinguish between its heart and the world's.

Across the moment, aeons speak with aeons. More than we experienced has gone by.

So you mustn't be frightened, dear Mr. Kappus, if a sadness rises in front of you, larger than any you have ever seen; if an anxiety - like light and cloud-shadows, moves over your hands and everything you do. You must realize that something is happening to you, that life has not forgotten you, that it holds you in the palm of its hand and will not let you fall.

Our task is to listen to the news that is always arriving out of silence.

Love and death are the great gifts that are given to us; mostly they are passed on unopened.

Your life will still find its own paths from there, and that they may be good, rich, and wide is what I wish for you, more than I can say.

I am too alone in the world and not alone enough to make every moment holy.