I've never thought of my characters as being sad. On the contrary, they are full of life. They didn't choose read more

I've never thought of my characters as being sad. On the contrary, they are full of life. They didn't choose tragedy. Tragedy chose them.

I do not want a plain box, I want a sarcophagus
With tigery stripes, and a face on it
Round read more

I do not want a plain box, I want a sarcophagus
With tigery stripes, and a face on it
Round as the moon, to stare up.
I want to be looking at them when they come
Picking among the dumb minerals, the roots.
I see them already-the pale, star-distance faces.
Now they are nothing, they are not even babies.
I imagine them without fathers or mothers, like the first gods.
They will wonder if I was important.

In its function, the power to punish is not essentially different from that of curing or educating.

In its function, the power to punish is not essentially different from that of curing or educating.

Progress is the injustice each generation commits with regard to its predecessors.

Progress is the injustice each generation commits with regard to its predecessors.

"In innocence there is no strength against evil," said
Sparrowhawk, a little wryly. "But there is strength in it read more

"In innocence there is no strength against evil," said
Sparrowhawk, a little wryly. "But there is strength in it for
good."

E'en drunken Andrew felt the blow
That innocence can give,
When its resistless accents flow
read more

E'en drunken Andrew felt the blow
That innocence can give,
When its resistless accents flow
To bid affection live.

Anger and jealousy can no more bear to lose sight of their objects than love.

Anger and jealousy can no more bear to lose sight of their objects than love.

Melancholy is the pleasure of being sad

Melancholy is the pleasure of being sad

As innocent as a new-laid egg.

As innocent as a new-laid egg.