"The writing about what you know thing was a huge one. Not worrying so much about what people think. Just writing for myself and the band is enough."

“A couple of times he called the second he'd finished reading a novel and just had to tell me about it, and I know it sounds hokey and librarianish to say so, but I just swooned when he did that.”

“Our elders say that an elephant does not find its own trunk heavy.”

Source : Zakes Mda (2007). “Ways of Dying: A Novel”, p.168, Macmillan

“Simple old-fashioned values that come from a sense of community are the key to a great society. I believe we all have that sense from childhood memories, when life was simple. It's those memories that should drive us to reflect on our values.”

“Pliny... makes the statement, and for untrustworthiness of statement he cannot easily be surpassed.”

“I have learned to do more with less, so you don't see the big books anymore.”

“O you who complain to people about your misfortunes, what good will it do you to complain to creatures? They can bring you neither benefit nor harm. If you rely on them and associate partners with the Lord of the Truth, they will make you distant from Him, cause you to fall into His displeasure.”

“Early in April, as I was vigorously hoeing in a corner, I unearthed a huge toad, to my perfect delight and satisfaction; he had lived all winter, he had doubtless fed on slugs all the autumn. I could have kissed him on the spot.”

Source : Celia Thaxter (2008). “An Island Garden”, p.56, Applewood Books

“I'm not a great actress, and I never thought I was. But I happen to have something the public likes.”