To be useful was the best thing the old men ever hoped for themselves, and to be aimless was their worst fear
("Gilead")
More Quotes from Marilynne Robinson:
These little towns were once the bold ramparts meant to shelter just such peace.Marilynne Robinson
Behold how much wood is kindled by how small a fire, and the tongue is fire.
Marilynne Robinson
It is an amazing thing to watch people laugh, the way it sort of takes them over. Sometimes they really do struggle with it . . . so I wonder what it is and where it comes from, and I wonder what it expends out of your system, so that you have to do it till you're done, like crying in a way, I suppose, except that laughter is much more easily spent.
Marilynne Robinson
When you encounter another person, when you have dealings with anyone at all, it is as if a question is being put to you. So you must think, What is the Lord asking of me in this moment, in this situation?
Marilynne Robinson
The Lord gave you a mind so that you can make honest use of it. I'm saying you must be sure that the doubts and questions are your own, not, so to speak, the mustache and walking stick that happen to be the fashion of any particular moment.
Marilynne Robinson
A little too much anger, too often or at the wrong time, can destroy more than you would ever imagine.
Marilynne Robinson
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Charles Horton Cooley
Records are just moments of achievement. They're like receipts for work done. Time goes on and people keep playing music.
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