“for I have often observed that resignation is never so perfect as when the blessing denied begins to lose somewhat of its value is our estimation.”

“I myself am a person who has never resigned myself, who is absolutely never resigned, who can’t imagine it at all. I simply observe, and I observe in so many people, and often very quickly, a resignation that terrifies me, that’s it.”

“When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place.”

“If the awareness of our limitations begins to limit or to dim our value consciousness as well—as happens, for instance, in old age with regard to the values of youth—then we have already started the movement of devaluation which will end with the defamation of the world and all its values. Only a timely act of resignation can deliver us from this tendency toward self-delusion.”

“At least at times of loss, we are reminded of our priorities, of our many blessings. In times of gain, we can so often lose our way.”

“so many things I long for have so often been denied”