“The wise do not buy into other people’s perceptions of who they are and what they are capable of. Instead, they bypass a person’s public persona and see who they are in their highest expression. When you see actions taken with integrity, instead of words only, you will then know a soul’s worth.”

“To be who you are and become what you are capable of is the only goal worth living.”

“She thought, instead, with longing of more books—of buying books—of slipping into a narrative of other people’s lives. That was release.”

“Who do you think you are? Who do you think I am? You only love to see me breaking. You only want me 'cause I'm Taken. No, you don't really want my heart, no you just like to know you can. Still be the one that gets it breaking, you only want me when I'm Taken.”

“Diversity… is not polite accommodation. Instead, diversity is, in action, the sometimes painful awareness that other people, other races, other voices, other habits of mind, have as much integrity of being, as much claim on the world as you do.”

“When you are able to maintain your own highest standards of integrity - regardless of what others may do - you are destined for greatness.”