“The absolute negative, the ultimate saying of no to the world, when it is just too late. And always the subtle conviction that if you had said No a moment earlier, it would none of it have happened. But the saying of no comes too late by a little. You are always a little too late in saying it.”

“There was no good or bad connected with anything any more.......He regretted nothing; wanted nothing. He was simply existing, and the way things were was the way they had always been and always would be. He didn't care any more. He did what had to be done, and endured in a timeless present, without past or future.”

“It was too late to retreat - the world exists only because it is always too late to retreat.”

“Your own dreams stand alone, longing to be fulfilled, and you wonder if it will ever happen. You must have faith. Just as the bus was a little late, so too can fulfilment of your desires come a bit late.”

“This tree wishes you no harm. God around it in peace. You are hurting yourself......The traveling was a little easier after that, knowing it was not necessary to destroy each tree that blocked him.”

“I have tried," I said, "but he does not believe me. It is too late for that now" (it is always too late for truth, I thought).”

“You're late,' he said.'I'm beautiful.''You're always beautiful.''I'm always late too.”