“The only way we can come to understand other beings is by tainting them with a bit of ourselves. When we are all covered by the same filth it is possible to understand earch other - and to believe in each other.”

“Men marry women who see through their bullshit, and women marry men they can't seduce, at least according to Lou. It's the only way you can live with each other over long periods of time and get things done, raising kids and buying houses and all the other nonsense of matrimony and human striving. To Judith, this was a depressing thought. She wanted to marry a man who was so crazy for her he couldn't see straight.”

“Today everything must be easy and it mustn't take time ... ready meals. Powdered hot chocolate and instant coffee ... Living takes time. We need to give each other time.”

“There are only two things that can destroy a healthy man: love trouble, ambition, and financial catastrophe. And that's already three things, and there are a lot more.”

“If we don't believe in the Devil, we won't be able to recognize him when he suddenly shows up.”

“It's not important that we agree with each other, only that we understand each other.”

“Melancholy is an intimate aspect of human nature, while depression, like any other illness, creates fear and perplexity. Melancholy can displayed, depression is usually hidden. When transformed into a depression, melancholy becomes a defeat.”