Briony began to understand the chasm that lay between an idea and its execution.

...falling in love could be achieved in a single word—a glance.

come back, come back to me

Imagining what it is like to be someone other than yourself is at the core of our humanity. It is the essence of compassion, and it is the beginning of morality.

I've never had a moment's doubt. I love you. I believe in you completely. You are my dearest one. My reason for life.

A person is, among all else, a material thing, easily torn and not easily mended.

True intelligence requires fabulous imagination.

When its gone, you'll know what a gift love was. you'll suffer like this. So go back and fight to keep it.

I believe the novella is the perfect form of prose fiction. It is the beautiful daughter of a rambling, bloated ill-shaven giant (but a giant who's a genius on his best days).

I'm holding back, delaying the information. I'm lingering in the prior moment because it was a time when other outcomes were still possible.

Observing human variety can give pleasure, but so too can human sameness.

The last thing we expect others to do, its the last thing they do before we learn we cannot trust them.

Her voice was loud and cheerful, the way it was when nothing was well and she was determined not to show it.

I mean, electric shock? Isn’t that a bit... electric shock-y?

If you have a dream don't let anyone talk you out of it.

The quickest way to unlock your talent is to take the flute out of the box.

I still think of myself as punk, because the way I became empowered to play music is entirely due to punk bands.

Who over-refines his argument brings himself to grief

Don't listen to me. I'm a maniac, but the voice in your head, ask it "Is it right to kill 200 million animals simply for fun?". What did it say? Right. There you go.

Your greatest failure will precede your greatest success.

Black people don't even question things any more, they simply follow the lead.