The sands never rested. Gently but surely they invaded and destroyed the surface of the earth. (Part 1, Chapter 2)

Furthermore, sand is sand wherever it is; strangely enough, there is almost no difference in the size of the grains whether they come from the Gobi Desert or from the beach at Enoshima. (Part 1, Chapter 2)

The barrenness of sand, as it is usually pictured, was not caused by simple dryness, but apparently was due to the ceaseless movement that made it inhospitable to all living things. (Part 1, Chapter 2)

He was angry at the things that bound the woman… and at the woman who let herself be bound. (Part 1, Chapter 6)

It was like trying to build a house in the sea by brushing the water aside. (Part 1, Chapter 6)

Year after year students tumble along like the waters of a river. They flow away, and only the teacher is left behind, like some deeply buried rock at the bottom of the current. (Part 2, Chapter 11)

And so... (Part 2, Chapter 13)