Loss of social standing is an ever-present threat for individuals whose social acceptance is based on behavioral traits rather than unconditional human value.

Women were expected to sit in the pews, receiving messages from men in the pulpit. Their role was to recognize God in their pastor, not to expect or demand that he recognize God in them.

L'esercizio rende perfetti, ma nessuno è perfetto, quindi perché esercitarsi?

Stories were heirlooms in these parts.

One day his fingers will grow knobby, he will start to sag. I pray to the goddesses, the gods, the eggs, the clouds, the trees. I pray to the wind that he will grow old and die well.

...that this monster, who is only one in form, has a heart so humane that he should not be persecuted for a deformity which he refrains from rendering more hideous by his actions...

Designs in connection with postage stamps and coinage may be described, I think, as the silent ambassadors on national taste.

It is very important to be reading as well as writing. A doctor is not going to ignore new surgery practices.

Some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to.

In order to travel far you have to be detached.

There was never in my mind a desire to give in on the subject of freeing the political prisoners.

Don't mistake routine for commitment, just showing up is not enough.