He might be a man without character, but she was a woman without courage. Of the two, which was worse?

Society values cooperation over independence, obedience over individuality, and niceness above all else.

That's the way the system works. Sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you.

Give yourself time to get better.

Lying contains the same hostile elements as a practical joke in that the 'victim' ends up looking foolish in his own eyes and laughable in everyone else's.

Poise and indifference so often look the same.

Sometimes being fooled by love is worth the price. At least you know you're alive and capable of feeling, even if all you end up with is chest pain.