Despair was a heavy blackness that let no light in or out. It was a hell beyond expression. I thank God it always passed. A school of fish appeared around the net or a knot cried out to be reknotted. Or I thought of my family of how they were spared this terrible agony. The blackness would stir and eventually go away, and God would remain, a shining point of light in my heart. I would go on loving. p. 209

'Bapu Gandhi said, 'All religions are true.' I just want to love God,' I blurted out, and looked down, red in the face. p. 69

I must say a word about fear. It is life's only true opponent. Only fear can defeat life. p. 161

A person can get used to anything, even to killing.

Not, I'll not, carrion comfort, Despair, not feast on thee; Not untwist-slack they may be-these last strands of man In me or, most weary, cry I can no more. I …

Mon unique esperance est dans mon desespoir.

I wonder whether, in the history of all the civilisations that have ever been, a more insanely optimistic notion has ever been entertained than that you and I,…