What is conservatism? Is it not the adherence to the old and tried against the new and untried?

Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present. Only you give it power.

What you are must always displease you, if you would attain to that which you are not.

There is nothing that can be changed more completely than human nature when the job is taken in hand early enough.

I never even believed in happiness. I didn't think it existed. Now look at me. I'm ready to believe in just about anything.

She was so busy forgetting, she couldn't take a single step into the future.

I take responsibility for the man I used to be, for I carry him with me. As strong as I am, he's a heavy burden

In my memories I have set my life in Brooklyn between pieces of glass, separate from my current existence, and this has enabled me to move forward. The past cannot tie me in knots, nor can it cause me to drown. And yet what is stored in glass belongs to me still. Each piece is a part of me: the hummingbirds, the locked doors, Mr. Morris in the yard, the pear tree, the woman covered by bees, and you. Especially you.

but as God created life, so did He create destruction.

No matter what, the past would follow around. A sorry soul that only grew heavier in each town. She couldn't run away.

She did believe in one thing, something so vast and deep she couldn't bring herself to tell John, even though it was probably safe to confide in someone she would never see again. She believed that people could lose themselves.

When we have changed everything we will eat congratulations with our tea.