“If you don't have the grace and wit to die early, you are forced to vanish, to hide as if in shame and apology.”

“Some folks can't hide things. They don't have enough, not enough money or influence or shame.”

“Never, never hide your pain, scream as if you are dying so you will not be harmed more. Never, never hide your poverty, too. The worst enemies of the poor are the poor themselves. And never, never appear that you are virtuous and without sin. It it is the virtuous who have many enemies because for they shame the many without virtue.”

“Remember that you don't owe anyone an apology. You are who you are, you have no choice, and that is beautiful.”

“You're a shameful opportunist! What you don't understand is that it's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees!"You have it backwards... it's better to live on your feet than to die on your knees”

“I appreciate the gesture, but you don't have to undress in order to apologize”