Among other things, you’ll find that you’re not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior. You’re by no means alone on that score, you’ll be excited and stimulated to know. Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now. Happily,… Continue reading J. D. Salinger
Loneliness is the human condition. Cultivate it. The way it tunnels into you allows your soul room to grow. Never expect to outgrow loneliness. Never hope to find people who will understand you, someone to fill that space. An intelligent, sensitive person is the exception, the very great exception. If you expect to find people… Continue reading Janet Fitch
I don’t care if it’s a sad good-by or a bad good-by, but when I leave a place I like to know I’m leaving it. If you don’t, you feel even worse. — J. D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye. (Back Bay Books; Reissue edition January 30, 2001) Originally published 1951.
I needed to think backwards for a while. Thinking backwards I could remember the comfort of being curious and alone. — Michael Ondaatje, The Cat’s Table. (Jonathan Cape; 1st edition August 1, 2011)
I knew it wasn’t too important, but it made me sad anyway. — J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye. (Back Bay Books; Reissue edition January 30, 2001) Originally published 1951.
Since he knew things at the beginning, maybe at the end he knew things too. That we had gone as far as chance would take us. That nothing is more sacred than youth or more hopeful than turning yourself over to someone and saying — I have this time, it is not a long time,… Continue reading Hilary Thayer Hamann
I wanted so badly to lie down next to her on the couch, to wrap my arms around her and sleep. Not fuck, like in those movies. Not even have sex. Just sleep together in the most innocent sense of the phrase. But I lacked the courage and she had a boyfriend and I was… Continue reading John Green
