serena

“If you can’t go home again, then you must take home with you wherever you go.”
― Cookie Hiponia Everman, We Belong

“Why does everyone hate change so much?" I demanded.
"Because things could get worse."
"Maybe. But do you know what I think?"
My chest throbbed. "I think deep down, we're afraid that things could get better. Afraid to ding out that all the evil—all the suffering we ignore—could have been prevented. If only we had cared enough to try.”
― Jordan Ifueko, Raybearer

“You did the right thing," Manthara told me. "No matter what is said about you, Kaikeyi, remember that you did the right thing. You are not wicked."
"Then why do I feel wicked?" I whispered.
"Because those who are good question themselves. Because those who are good always wonder if there was a better way, a way that could have helped more and hurt less. That feeling is why you are good.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“That's just what translation is, I think. That's all speaking is. Listening to the other and trying to see past your own biases to glimpse what they're trying to say. Showing yourself to the world, and hoping someone else understands.”
― R.F. Kuang, Babel