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Destiny is not a metaphysical confrontation with one's self, rather, society has knit its pattern so tight that a confrontation with it is inevitable. (p59)

The coup gave them a chance to put into practice what they had learned in their barracks: blind obedience, the use of arms, and other skills that soldiers can master once they silence the scruples of their hearts. (p436)

In order to purify yourself, you have to understand yourself, Father Trais went on. Everything out in the world is also in you. Good, bad, evil, perfection, death, everything. So we study our souls. (p381)

The road in either direction

is neither longer nor shorter,

nor more narrow nor wider

than the fear that closes your heart.

paintings

and books conceal more than they ever tell.

As if we should not be scandalized

by surprise bombing over any city at night,

bombs scandalizing the sanctity of night.

No one is very certain about anything after a while.

...and on the date stipulated by law the left calmly came to power. And on that date the right began to stockpile hatred. (p392)

Blanca argued that her reading should be monitored because there were certain things that were inappropriate for her age, but her Uncle Jaime felt that people never read what did not interest them and that if it interested them that meant they were sufficiently mature to read it. (p311)

The Poet’s funeral had turned into the symbolic burial of freedom. (p441)

...Captain Longfellow—who, like most Englishmen, was kinder to animals than to people... (p31)

We pray for joy and love to fill our hearts,

our days and our nights