Just like when there's a time that a smart person knows enough is enough, there's a time when you know you've got to fight.

There's a thin, blurry line between humor and tragedy.

Things aren't ever what they seem to be when you first look at them. What's important is that you keep your mind wide open and try to understand what's going on from a lot of different angles.

I often tell young people that as a writer you are very powerful, that you can make absolutely anything happen.

I write because I love to. I'm very, very fortunate to have found something that I love doing that also earns my living. But to be honest, I'd write even if I weren't being paid to.

A bud is a flower-to-be. A flower in waiting. Waiting for just the right warmth and care to open up. It's a little fist of love waiting to unfold and be seen by the world. And that's you.

Work at your craft, write daily, and follow your dreams because dreams do come true.

But you just gotta understand that that's the way it is and keep on steppin'.

I'm the same age as my tongue and a little bit older than my teeth.

But don't ever call her ex-boyfriends by his name.

Wow. Who would want a fish for a pet when they could have a turtle?!

The sole duty of a man is to love his Maker with all his soul.

Trying to guess the enemy’s next move is useful

Order is manifestly maintained in the universe... governed by the sovereign will of God.

Shame works like the zoom lens on a camera. When we are feeling shame, the camera is zoomed in tight and all we see is our flawed selves, alone and struggling.(page 68)

There is no such thing as no choice. There is always a choice. The only question is whether it's a bearable one.

Terrible is the force of the waves of sea, terrible is the rush of the river and the blasts of hot fire, and terrible are a thousand other things; but none is such a terrible evil as woman.

It's very disheartening to encounter a fearful twenty-one year old. They haven't earned the right to be that afraid. It's not like we're living in war-torn Bosnia or something.

Humor must be one of the chief attributes of God. Plants and animals that are distinctly humorous in form and characteristics are God's jokes.

It is not love that should be depicted as blind, but self-love.