Patrick Turner

“What I mean to say is, we had been considerable. Had been loved. Not lonely, not lost, not freakish, but wise, each in his or her own way. Our departures caused pain. Those who had loved us sat upon their beds, heads in hand; lowered their faces to tabletops, making animal noises. We had been loved, I say, and remembering us, even many years later, people would smile, briefly gladdened at the memory.”
― George Saunders, Lincoln in the Bardo

“Dear God, give bread to those who are hungry and a hunger and thirst for justice to those who have plenty. Amen.”
― Benedictine prayer

“Across the sea fat kings watched and were gleeful, that something begun so well had now gone off the rails (as down South similar kings watched), and if it went off the rails, so went the whole kit, forever, and if someone ever thought to start it up again, well, it would be said (and said truly): The rabble cannot manage itself.

Well, the rabble could. The rabble would.

He would lead the rabble in managing.

The thing would be won.”
― George Saunders, Lincoln in the Bardo

“I had given him a life not worth living, but I had also given him an iron will to live. This was a common combination on the planet Earth”
― Kurt Vonnegut, Breakfast of Champions