“It just took some people a little longer than others to realize how few words they needed to get by, how much of life they could negotiate in silence.”

“The mystery in how little we know of other people is no greater than the mystery of how much, Laurel thought.”

“Life sometimes separates people so that they can realize how much they mean to each other.”

“Silence allows people to put thoughts into words. Some people might need several minutes to put thoughts into words. Silence may indicate the person is reflecting on experiences, and he or she may just need time to process.”

“This country would get along much better if people learned how to suffer in silence.”

“We each have our own way of expressing ourselves. I just think that life gives us things, situations— people— to make us see how much we have to learn . . . how much we need to remember to stay humble and realize we are just like children. We don't know everything.”