“Well what I was going to say was that it reminds me of us because a cactus can grow and thrive without a lot of water and attention. Even if it gets neglected on a shelf, it can blossom and still develop into something beautiful.”

“I like to go beach-combing, and I like to find interestingly shaped rocks. When I really get into the groove I start finding beautiful rocks everywhere, until I discover that all of the rocks on the beach are beautiful. And so I try to find beauty even in the smallest moments, because beauty is something that can grow if you let it.”

“Say something," demanded Fancie. "Why don't you say something?""What can I say?""Say that I'm young-that I'll get over it. Go ahead and say it. Go ahead and lie.""I know that's what people say-you'll get over it. I'd say it too. But I know it's not true. Oh, you'll be happy again, never fear. But you won't forget. Every time you fall in love it will be because something in the man reminds you of him.”

“I don’t know how I stay alive. What I do know is that there is a light, far above us, that goes out when we die,and that in Hell there is a gray tulip that grows without any sun. It reminds me of everything I failed at,and I water it carefully. It is all I have to remind me of you.”

“I try to think of a way to get there without going past it. There are lots of ways, but they all have me walking a little farther. And that's stupid, I decide. What am I, a little kid? I can stand to see something it hurts to want. I can see it and then just keep walking. It happens to lots of people everyday. We all survive.”

“The world can be so complicated for Max. Even when he gets something right, it can still go wrong.”