“Like water poured from one vessel to another, metta flows freely, taking the shape of each situation without changing its essence.”

“Human nature is like water. It takes the shape of its container.”

“I spoke the word “moo” into a glass of water, hoping to change the structure of each water molecule into the shape of a cow. I felt like drinking a steak.”

“Shall we for ever make new books, as apothecaries make new mixtures, by pouring only out of one vessel into another?”

“Andy was receptive, like a deep vessel into which life was poured. If this terrible particular thing hadn't been poured into her, she would have been happier--it goes without saying--but less of a person. She was filled out by her fate. I actually think that this is quite rare, the capacity to become the whole shape of the accidents that happen to you.”

“[her] mind blackens. The blackness is not a thought, but if it could be pressed into a thought, if a chemical from a dropper could be dripped onto it causing its color and essence to become visible, it would take the shape of this sentence: Why does no one want me?”