“If you choose to live only in the world as you find it, you surrender too much.”

“I won't tell you that the world matters nothing, or the world's voice, or the voice of society. They matter a good deal. They matter far too much. But there are moments when one has to choose between living one's own life, fully, entirely, completely—or dragging out some false, shallow, degrading existence that the world in its hypocrisy demands. You have that moment now. Choose!”

“I am heartened to find so much wit in you, that you'd give thought to consequences and choose your way with reason, not passion only.”

“If you want to dance the dance then you better learn the steps, the world has enough pretenders. If you want to practice sex then you better find a partner, and to love you must surrender.”

“If you're still, and if you don't hope too much, peace will come to you. It's a grace. But you have to choose happiness.”

“And because the world is too big and time is too short and you only have one life to live, read!”