“Was it possible in any relationship to not disappoint, to do anything more than only briefly rekindle the initial fatal illusion?”

“Action has meaning only in relationship, and without understanding relationship, action on any level will only breed conflict. The understanding of relationship is infinitely more important than the search for any plan of action.”

“I'd rather be pleasantly surprised than fatally disappointed.”

“The first duty of a human being is to assume the right relationship to society -- more briefly, to find your real job, and do it.”

“In the mainstream, with its illusion of unlimited relational possibilities, we can counter dissatisfaction in relationships by simply moving on in search of the "right people." But community...demands we cultivate friendships with people we might not choose ordinarily. Founding friendship on commitment rather than "chemistry" often requires adjustment...At the end of the day, however, we have found that any loss of chemistry in relationships is more than made up for with gains in meaning.”

“Nothing damages a relationship more than lies, and only love and truth have any chance of healing them.”