“We define ourselves by the best that is in us, not the worst that has been done to us.”

“High technology has done us one great service: It has retaught us the delight of performing simple and primordial tasks - chopping wood, building a fire, drawing water from a spring”

“He stole glances at the heathen faces of Bodien and Gaylord, the suffering, yet oddly consoled, eyes and mouth of Basellecci, noting the brave enthusiasm of men who had never dreamed of anything very definite, and it occurred to him through the reek of his person that there was only one hope for him, and for all people who had lost, through intelligence, the hope of immortality. "We must love and delight in each other and in ourselves!" he cried.”

“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”

“It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.”

“You weren't a decent man and you didn't do your best. We none of us were and none of us did.”

“I think that if God forgives us we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise, it is almost like setting up ourselves as a higher tribunal than Him.”