Rick Zelenski

“During the Depression of the 1930s everyone suffered, even the rich. It was hard times for all and people helped each other if they could. Americans coming through that together meant something. Now they were being asked to struggle again. But because so many servicemen were killed at Pearl Harbor, Americans had a cause that they all shared – fight the Fascists and keep the threat and the war from coming home. Yet, now the grim reality, the depths of the sacrifices, and the grief of their losses was devastating.”
― A.G. Russo, The Cases Nobody Wanted

“Julien non pensava più alla sua cupa ambizione, né ai suoi progetti tanto difficili da realizzare. Per la prima volta nella vita era travolto dal potere della bellezza, perso in una vaga e dolce fantasticheria, così estranea al suo carattere. Ma quell'emozione era un piacere, e non una passione. Tornando nella sua stanza, pensò a una sola felicità: quella di riprendere in mano il suo libro preferito. A vent'anni l'idea del mondo e dell'effetto da suscitarvi è più importante di qualunque altra cosa.”
― Stendhal, Il Rosso e il Nero

“men were praised for controlling and withholding their emotions. They were admired for their steely steadfastness and knowing the way. They never apologized. They never asked questions. They never explained. They never revealed their hand. They didn’t speak. Their silence was evidence of their strength and virility. They were expected to master the world and to lead with determination and assurance. The thrust of a man’s existence was to maintain his position.”
― V (formerly Eve Ensler), The Apology

“8. Sylva suddenly remembered one of the teachings of Martha that she had copied out. The person who listens, gains wisdom – She who just talks only expels air. Naomi had told Sylva that she should let Martha’s words guide her. Maybe she was correct. Anyway, what harm could it do to spend a few moments listening to the huntsman?”
― Robert Reid, The Empress