The sound of the king's music made Despereaux's soul grow large and light inside of him.

Stories are light. Light is precious in a world so dark. Begin at the beginning. Tell Gregory a story. Make some light.

And hope is like love...a ridiculous, wonderful, powerful thing.

There ain't no point in making soup unless others eat it. Soup needs another mouth to taste it, another heart to be warmed by it.

The world is dark, and light is precious.Come closer, dear reader.You must trust me.I am telling you a story.

Despereaux was reading the story out loud to himself. He was reading from the beginning so that he could get to the end...

The April sun, weak but determined, shone through a castle window and from there squeezed itself through a small hole in the wall and placed one golden finger on the little mouse.

Once upon a time, " he said out loud to the darkness. He said these words because they were the best, the most powerful words that he knew and just the saying of them comforted him.

Stories are light.

Desperaux, " she said. He saw his name on her lips."I honor you, " whispered Desperaux. "I honor you.

She drifted down into the water, letting it engulf her body until even her face was underwater. The silence was delicious, just the sound of her own heartbeat in her ears.

In order to love, we must address our fears.

They were beautiful nothings

I don't know just what, but there will have to be some drastic changes made besides cutting down on boating to get my mind more on painting.

A great idea is usually original to more than one discoverer. Great ideas come when the world needs them. Great ideas surround the world's ignorance and press for admission.

Sitting around idly contemplating doesn't produce much. In work you can discipline your attention, forget about your misery.

There's nothing better than being in an asylum, if you're going to have a bunch of crazy people in an asylum, and they're all beautiful Hollywood actresses.

They always talk about teenagers thinking their lives will never end. I expected my life to end at any minute, every day.

Women are amazing creatures-sweet, soft, gentle, and far more savage than we are.

Since the age of three I have refused God nothing.