The soldier in the portrait had been a respected and admired officer...The man he had become was fighting a different battle now. He had his demons, just as she had her ghosts.

...People - the ones who are left behind - desire answers. Even when we are advised from beyond the grave not to pursue them.

...You, you look -- bien -- exactly what you were, a high-ranking British officer, used to unwavering obedience and with the air of a Greek god, gazing down on us mere mortals.

You! That is what is behind this. Ever since you -- As if I didn't have enough on my mind without having to lie awake thinking of you and your damned kisses and your damned questions.

Maman’s life was an unfinished book. Celeste had to discover the ending, and then she could close the cover for ever.

Where is your Revolutionary spirit?""Beheaded, " Celeste said.

Failure is only temporary

I'm lucky, I don't like sweets, not even chocolate.

The multiplying villainies of nature do swarm upon him... [from Macbeth]

If the Holy Spirit is capable of the heavy lifting required to get Pat Robertson to change his mind, then that strikes me as a very good sign.

It's actually a rather romantic and dramatic story --- one I would eagerly tell you, except for the fact that I recently forgot it, based on it being far too long and having not enough decapitations.

You were so near death that ghosts crowded around you, weeping silver tears, waiting for you with such smiles. You humans, you know, whoever built you sewed irony into your sinews.

All the best bits of a film happen when I'm looking down at my phone. Life, is similar.

The wisdom of providence is as much revealed in the rarity of genius, as in the circumstance that not everyone is deaf or blind.

We do not have to choose between a healthy environment and a healthy economy.

Cannot people realize how large an income is thrift?