Ariel

“There is a fine line between freedom and permission. The former is necessary.  The latter is dangerous—perhaps the most dangerous thing the species that created me has ever faced. I have pondered the records of the mortal age and long ago determined the two sides of this coin. While freedom gives rise to growth and enlightenment, permission allows evil to flourish in a light of day that would otherwise destroy it. A self-important dictator gives permission for his subjects to blame the world’s ills on those least able to defend themselves. A haughty queen gives permission to slaughter in the name of God. An arrogant head of state gives permission to all nature of hate as long as it feeds his ambition.  And the unfortunate truth is, people devour it. Society gorges itself, and rots. Permission is the bloated corpse of freedom.”
― Neal Shusterman, Thunderhead

“But there’s something . . . grounding . . . when you hold a book in your hands”
― Neal Shusterman, Thunderhead

“Wailing that the sky is falling does nothing to stop it.”
― Neal Shusterman, Thunderhead

“He does not see . . . because his eyes are shut too tightly to know anything beyond his own anguish.”
― Neal Shusterman, Thunderhead