Mattie

“We both had books shelved and stacked and boxed and crowding out the furniture. Together, we would never have fitted into either of our apartments. Kevin did suggest once that I get rid of some of my books so that I’d fit into his place. ‘You’re out of your mind!’ I told him. ‘Just some of that book-club stuff that you don’t read.’ We were at my apartment then, so I said, ‘Let’s go to your place and I’ll help you decide which of your books you don’t read. I’ll even help you throw them out.”
― Octavia E. Butler, Kindred

“This is what you must do. Live, amend, in your dealings with sinners remember your own frailty, and in your dealings with the innocent, respect and use your own strength in their service. Do as well as you can, and leave the rest to God, and how much more can saints do?”
― Ellis Peters, Monk's Hood

“They were innocent great apes, with limited means for doing mischief, which, in my opinion as an old, old man, is all that human beings were ever meant to be.”
― Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Slapstick

“Perhaps that is what it is like being with other people. Perhaps even people you like and admire immensely can make you see the World in ways you would rather not. Perhaps that is what Raphael means.”
― Susanna Clarke, Piranesi