"She tended to keep her eyes half closed, as if full sight of the world’s absurdity might be too much to bear."

"“People fear stone,” Usha said, “because it contains never-life.” “Non-life? You mean, death?” “Nonsense,” she repeat…"

"Few fears are rational."

"A life postponed too long might never be lived."

"Of all the well-meant emotions pity is the cruelest to share."

"“Magic is nonsense.” “Magic is anything you don’t understand.”"

"Usha had said that males were not all that different, just bigger outside to make up for what they lacked within."

"Death can be hastened but never shared."

"There was no time for bitterness now: eat bitterness, and bitterness eats you."

"Death hastens those who hasten death."