“The one thing in the world, of value, is the active soul”

“Volcanic ash will be experienced in all parts of your world, as the volcanoes around your earth are simultaneously activated. Face masks and goggles will be of great value”

“Writing is one of the most solitary activities in the world.”

“It's important to be heroic, ambitious, productive, efficient, creative, and progressive, but these qualities don't necessarily nurture soul. The soul has different concerns, of equal value: downtime for reflection, conversation, and reverie; beauty that is captivating and pleasuring; relatedness to the environs and to people; and any animal’s rhythm of rest and activity.”

“Though it is the hardest thing, to work out one's weight and heft in the world, to whittle down all that I am and give it a value.”

“My heart shatters. My world shatters.you will lose what you value most.It wasn't my life or even Dimitri's life.what you value mostIt was his soul.”