“if you were quiet and blended into the background, you were less likely to make waves”

“The angrier you were, the less likely you were to think clearly.”

“Among the problems with shame was that it in fact did not make you shorter or quieter or less visible. You just felt like you were.”

“Addictions [...] started out like magical pets, pocket monsters. They did extraordinary tricks, showed you things you hadn't seen, were fun. But came, through some gradual dire alchemy, to make decisions for you. Eventually, they were making your most crucial life-decisions. And they were [...] less intelligent than goldfish.”

“Blend in. don't make waves. Don't look up.' That was the mantra I lived by. But not today.”

“He waved to me to be quiet, as if I were annoying background noise. "Look, whatever your name is..."Benvolio Montague."Right. Look, Benvolio, why don't we go outside and get a taxi? My label has a New York office. We can go there and get you a money order or something." He smile, thinking himself clever. "Come on, what do you say?"Benvolio raised an eyebrow. "I am begining to believe that you are insane.”