“There are some things more important than your own life. Like friendship, and love, and trust, and goodness.”

“To be a good human being is to have a kind of openness to the world, an ability to trust uncertain things beyond your own control, that can lead you to be shattered in very extreme circumstances for which you were not to blame. That says something very important about the condition of the ethical life: that it is based on a trust in the uncertain and on a willingness to be exposed; it’s based on being more like a plant than like a jewel, something rather fragile, but whose very particular beauty is inseparable from that fragility.”

“Love is when the other person's happiness is more important than your own.”

“Trust and respect are more important than love in a relationship because no love will last without equal amounts of respect and trust.”

“Are the rules more important to you than friendship?”“ ‘Friendship’ is a strong word. I’d prefer ‘good relationship between colleagues.’ ”She proffered this expression with ingenuous, affable calm.”

“All that matters in life," the grey man went on, "is to climb the ladder of success, amount to something, own things. When a person climbs higher than the rest, amounts to more, owns more things, everything else comes automatically: friendship, love, respect, et cetera...""Isn't there anyone who loves you?" Momo whispered.”