Again and again, the cicada’s untiring cry pierced the sultry summer air like a needle at work on thick cotton cloth.

The instant that the blade tore open his flesh, the bright disk of the sun soared up and exploded behind his eyelids.

Otaguro’s bosom heaved with an ineffable surge of joy. “Every man is fighting, ” he murmured. “Every man.

Beyond doubt it would speedily verify the proverb that a nation must ravage itself before foreigners can ravage it, a man must despise himself before others can despise him.

Exercise power by means of kindness, and you may be causing more damage than you could by cruelty. Neither approach is correct.

Much of human progress has involved reducing the time and energy, as well as the number of processes we have to engage in and think about, for each of us to obtain the necessities of life.

There seemed to be some correlation between devotion to God and a misguided zeal for marshmallows.

... if you have nothing, you are free to choose among dreams and fantasies.

I'm quite arty. I didn't know whether to become an artist or musician but I realised I could paint with music. All my songs have colours.

The challenge of the retail business is the human condition.

Sometimes, I see and hear stories, especially those that involve children, and I wonder if this is hell and we are trying to get into heaven.

One kind kiss before we part, Drop a tear and bid adieu; Though we sever, my fond heart Till we meet shall pant for you.

I could send you a bone with a file in it, only you'd eat it.

Prejudices are rarely overcome by argument; not being founded in reason they cannot be destroyed by logic.