“They say there's no such thing as a perfect pearl - that nothing from nature can ever be truly perfect.”

“I tried not to smile as I gathered the marbles. After counting them out by color and placing them into the holes, I looked at Sapphire and shrugged. 'There aren't enough.'Miz Obee's face tensed, but Sapphire looked at her friend kindly, patted the table, and said, 'Just set up the board as best you can. We'll play with whatever we got.'I thought that was one of the wisest things I'd ever heard anyone say.”

“After explaining how a pearl is made she said: "It's how we survive the hurts in life that brings us strength and give us our beauty.”

“If there's one thing I'd like most for you, it's that you'll find your calling in life. That's where true happiness and purpose lies. Whether it's taking care of abandoned animals, saving old houses from the wreckin' ball, or reading to the blind, you've got to find your fire, sugar. You'll never be fulfilled if you don't.”

“It's our hearts that tell us the truth of things, honey, and my heart has never betrayed me. Not ever.”

“But there's a blessing in everything if we open our eyes.”

“A strong breeze is natures way of blowing away our sorrows.”