“It was there, in particular, that I confirmed the truth that love, which we cry up as the source of our pleasures, is nothing more than an excuse for them.”

“Hurt feelings are nothing more than our confirmation that someone's judgement about us is the truth and we are offended that they agree with us.”

“The more we love someone, the less we flatter them; it is by excusing nothing that true love shows itself.”

“We create things to watch them grow, Ruin, she said. To take pleasure in seeing that which we love become more than it was before.”

“Of all the things that are beyond my power, I value nothing more highly than to be allowed the honor of entering into bonds of friendship with people who sincerely love truth. For, of things beyond our power, I believe there is nothing in the world which we can love with tranquility except such men.”

“Nothing can be more painful than the cry of the word which gave us the inspiration to dream of love.”