Chocky

I have been astonished before, and doubtless shall be again, how the kindliest and most sympathetic of women can pettify and downgrade the searing anguishes of childhood.

I don't understand women. Nobody does. Least of all themselves.

I felt a poignant memory of those desolate patches of disillusion which are the shocks of growing up. The discovery that one lived in a world which could pay honour where honour was not due, was just such a one. The values were rocked, the dependable was suddenly flimsy, the solid became hollow, gold turned to brass, there was no integrity anywhere . . .

"An open mind is a difficult thing to keep."

"Intelligent life is the only thing that gives meaning to the universe. It is a holy thing, to be fostered and treasured.

Without it nothing begins, nothing ends, there can be nothing through all eternity but the mindless babblings of chaos . . .

Therefore, the nurture of all intelligent forms is a sacred duty. Even the merest spark of reason must be fanned in the hope of a flame. Frustrated intelligence must have its bonds broken. Narrow-channelled intelligence must be given the power to widen out. High intelligence must be learned from."