“You must behave as if return is certain, not a matter of chance", Jem said.”

“Do not think I do not know that Cecily wants you to return home with her. And do not think I do not know that you remain for Jem's sake."

"And yours," he said before he could stop himself.”

“Everyone behaves badly--given the chance.”

“Good and bad is tricky," she said. "I ain't too certain about where people stand. P'raps what matters is which way you face.”

“You must take your chance.”

“If you were damned certain you weren’t looking for something, there was a very good chance you wouldn’t see it.”

“The Buddha told his disciples, "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense". I say the same to you—you must assume the responsibility for what you believe.”

“In other words, truth is not only a matter of offense, in that it makes certain assertions. It is also a matter of defense in that it must be able to make a cogent and sensible response to the counterpoints that are raised.”

“I will love you no matter what. I will love you if you are stupid, if you slip and fall on your face, if you do the wrong thing, if you make mistakes, if you behave like a human being——I will love you no matter.”

“We must overcome the notion that we must be regular… it robs you of the chance to be extraordinary and leads you to the mediocre.”