“Love, I've never been anyone's mother; I don't know how to talk to young or old. But don't stop smiling just because I flap my mouth and say something that's not dressed around the edges like a lace tablecloth. Thicken up and we'll get along fine.”

“You young people never say anything. And us old folks don't know how to stop talking.”

“I'd wait as long as you needed, as long as Nicole needed. But I know you feel something for me, and I love you, and I've never felt this way about anyone, ever. I want to be with you. I want you to pick me. I know Emma will always be your first love, and that's fine. But don't just...don't just let me go.”

“That's because I've learned how to use it [smile], Woserit said. I don't pass it out like an old woman giving free milk to the village cats. It's something that must be controlled, and for you especially. You use it on anyone. You must learn to be more judicious.”

“Why did you decide to be an architect?""I didn't know it then. But it's because I've never believed in God.""Come on, talk sense.""Because I love this earth. That's all I love. I don't like the shape of things on this earth. I want to change them.""For whom?""For myself.""How old are you?""Twenty-two.""Where did you hear all that?""I didn't.""Men don't talk like that at twenty-two. You're abnormal.""Probably.""I didn't mean it as a compliment.""I didn't either.”

“(After Nicholas tells Dahlia that he loves her)"...Just don't break my heart my heart, Dahlia. I've never handed it over to anyone before."She placed both hands over his. "I've never had anyone's heart. I don't know the first thing about keeping hearts. You're taking a terrible risk.""That's what I do best." ... "Are you feeling relaxed now?" ..."I was until you started throwing around the L-word. That's enough to scare anyone.”