Karuna

“Was man, indeed, at once so powerful, so virtuous and magnificent, yet so vicious and base? He appeared at one time a mere scion of the evil principal and another as all that can be conceived of noble and Godlike. To be a great and virtuous man appeared the highest honor that can befall a sensitive being; to be based and vicious, as many on record have been, appeared the lowest degradation, a condition more object than that of the blind mole or harmless worm. I cannot conceive how one man could go forth to murder his fellow, or even why there were laws and governments; but when I details of advice and bloodshed, my wonder seized, and I turned away with discussed and loathing.”
― Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

“I thought once that gods are the opposite of death, but I see now they are more dead than anything, for they are unchanging, and can hold nothing in their hands.”
― Madeline Miller, Circe

“We're all born with the greatest treasures we'll ever have in life. One of those treasures is your mind, another is your heart.”
― Susan Abulhawa, Mornings in Jenin

“I could not find myself making any use of the word sacrifice," said she. "I do suspect that he is not really necessary to my happiness. So much the better. I certainly will not persuade myself to feel more than I do. I am quite enough in love. I should be sorry to be more.”
― Emma, Jane Austen