“The voices may propel you to warble along, or to dance, they may inspire you to seduction or insurrection or inspection or merely to watching a little less television. The voices of Barrett Rude Jr. and the Subtle Distinctions lead nowhere, though, if not back to your own neighborhood. To the street where you live. To things you left behind.And that's what you need, what you needed all along.”

“So don't stop moving forward. For a while, you may feel as though you're taking two steps forward, one step back. And there may be some personal heartache along the way. But when you look your little ones in the eye, you will find your voice and take a stand for them. We are their voices. And we must have the courage to stand up for them, whatever the odds or however powerful the opposition might be.”

“I care for you-you're precious to me. And one of the most precious things to me is your voice. Please tell me what you want, what you need, what you desire...”

“When you are dead your memory may live on so you need to be sure of what you want people to remember and even if you are worth remembering”

“It’s almost as important to know what you need to not do, as what you need to do. Actually it may be more important, since it may save you a great deal of effort and possible aggravation. This is where restraint comes in handy.”

“...if you want your own distinctive voice, you first have to become someone...”