"It is when success seems to be almost in your grasp that you become aware of how fragile is human existence, and of the unending possibility, almost the inevitability, of failure. And this makes you hesitate" (p. 22).

"You have to know your own truth and stick to it. And never despair. Never give up. There's always hope" (p. 42).

"I have desired to go where springs not fail, to fields where flies no sharp and sided hail and a few lilies blow. And I have asked to be where no storms come, where the green swell is in the havens dumb, and out of the swing of the sea" (p. 50).

"Father, is there anything rational about what's happening to us here? Did being rational prevent the war? Did being rational save us from being invaded? Will being rational liberate us?" (p. 72).

"When people are desperate they behave as they...