Sita

“I don't ask myself what did I live for, said Carlene strongly. That is a man's question. I ask whom did I live for. ”
― Zadie Smith, On Beauty

“One summer morning at sunrise a long time ago
I met a little girl with a book under her arm.
I asked her why she was out so early and
she answered that there were too many books and
far too little time. And there she was absolutely right.”
― Tove Jansson

“Marriage I think
For women
Is the best of opiates.
It kills the thoughts
That think about the thoughts,
It is the best of opiates.
So said Maria.
But too long in solitude she'd dwelt,
And too long her thoughts had felt
Their strength. So when the man drew near,
Out popped her thoughts and covered him with fear.
Poor Maria!
Better that she had kept her thoughts on a chain,
For now she's alone again and all in pain;
She sighs for the man that went and the thoughts that stay
To trouble her dreams by night and her dreams by day.”
― Stevie Smith

“Cynicism is intellectual dandyism. ”
― George Meredith, The Egoist: An Annotated Text, Backgrounds Criticism