“A wise mother knows: It is her state of consciousness that matters. Her gentleness and clarity command respect. Her love creates security.”

“....let her be loved not only for her beauty and amiable character, but also for her strength of mind and loftiness of purpose, which enliven and raise the feeble and the timid and ward off all vain thoughts. Let her be the pride of her country and let her command respect.”

“Her clarity gave her purpose and her purpose gave her clarity.”

“Zoe loved Trancas's mother. She respected her exhausted and ironic hope for rebirth.”

“He placed his hand under hers gently and straightened her fingers. His touch felt like fire and ice and commanded her complete attention.”

“He wondered whether he really liked his mother. But she was his mother and this fact was recognized by everybody as meaning automatically that he loved her, and so he took for granted that whatever he felt for her was love. He did not know whether there was any reason why he should respect her judgment. She was his mother; this was supposed to take the place of reasons.”