The human situation, in general or in particular, is slightly worse (ignoring an occasional hiccup in the graph) at any given moment than at any preceding moment.

How few human beings, the major thought with a sigh, can exert by hard work, thrift, intelligence or any other virtue the slightest influence on their own destiny.

Life is meant to create memories not money.

Her smile is the simplest miracle that she can create anytime.

Sometimes I don't have enough energy to be social. I need time alone to recover from the last time I went out.

It's marvellous to be popular, but foolish to think it will last.

He knew he would not be afraid. Even if he ever was afraid he knew that he could do it anyway.

To him that will, waies are not wanting.

I think the older I get, the less I should be doing.

You list the dead. You tell the stories of the past. You write about the catastrophes and the massacres. What about the living, Finnikin? Who honors them?

It's no use blaming anyone now.

Don't worry about what you can't control. Our focus and energy needs to be on the things we CAN control. Attitude, effort, focus- these are the things we can control.