“Stagolee was, undoubtedly and without question, the baddest nigger that ever lived. Stagolee was so bad that the flies wouldn't even fly around his head in the summertime, and snow wouldn't fall on his house in the winter. He was bad, jim. ”

“But I want you around even when I don't need you. —Jeremy Richards”

“Some wounds go so deep that you don't even feel them until months, maybe years, later.”

“... the object of learning was not to build a better mousetrap but to ask a better question.”

“Being a failure at living your own life as best as you can is better than being a success living the life somebody else says you should live.”

“I write because the lives of all of us are stories. If enough of those stories are told, then perhaps we will begin to see that our lives are the same story. The differences are merely in the details.”

“If I canot know your name, may I light a lamp so I can see your face?'If you sould ever see my face, you will lose me forever.' Why?' Psyche wanted to know. 'Are you ugly? Are you afraid I won't love you if I see your face?'Perhaps I am afraid that if you see my face, it will be THAT that you will love and not me.' I understand, believe me. I know what that feels like.”