“All that matters in life," the grey man went on, "is to climb the ladder of success, amount to something, own things. When a person climbs higher than the rest, amounts to more, owns more things, everything else comes automatically: friendship, love, respect, et cetera...""Isn't there anyone who loves you?" Momo whispered.”

“There are some things more important than your own life. Like friendship, and love, and trust, and goodness.”

“Trust and respect are more important than love in a relationship because no love will last without equal amounts of respect and trust.”

“Why climb the corporate ladder when you can build an elevator in your own building?”

“Want something else more than success. Success is a lovely thing, but your desire to say something, your worth, and your identity shouldn’t rely on it, because it’s not guaranteed and it’s not permanent and it’s not sufficient. So work hard, fall in love with the writing—the characters, the story, the words, the themes—and make sure that you are who you are regardless of your life circumstances. That way, when the good things come, they don’t warp you, and when the bad things hit you, you don’t fall apart.”

“There is a ladder to Success! Choose to climb it.”